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From: mjk@tty3b.UUCP (Mike Kelly)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Reagan Bucks Public Opinion
Message-ID: <292@tty3b.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 27-Jan-84 13:29:28 EST
Article-I.D.: tty3b.292
Posted: Fri Jan 27 13:29:28 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 31-Jan-84 04:05:35 EST
Organization: Teletype Corp., Skokie, Ill
Lines: 28

Jim R Oldroyd writes in <150@taurus.UUCP>:
 "Many european governments are going ahead with the deployment of
  american nuclear missiles against the overwhelming wishes of the
  majority of the people in their countries ... What happened to the
  idea of democracy?"

One must also wonder what happened to democracy in the U.S., where
virtually every military adventure undertaken by the Reagan government
has been faced with public opposition.  Between 60% and 80% of the
American people have consistently opposed the intervention in Central
America.  A similar number opposes the presence in Lebanon.  Only
the invasion of Grenada has managed to achieve anything resembling
public support, and that can be largely attributed to the blitzkrieg
nature of the invasion: the Marines had occupied the island before most
of the U.S. press was even allowed in to find out what was going on.

The isolation of the Reagan Administration is just as clear on nuclear
policy.  About 80% of the American people support the nuclear freeze;
Reagan opposes it.  About half think that military spending is too high;
Reagan wants to increase it another 14% next year.

One must wonder how long a government can continue to oppose basic
demands of its people and continue to remain in power.   That question
will be answered in the United States, at least, over the next nine
months.

Mike Kelly
..!ihnp4!tty3b!mjk