As a previous post noted, the coming of the
Obama administration coincided with increased
polarization over
government power. A similar pattern applies to
regulation.
Gallup reports:
The gulf between Republicans' and Democrats' views of government regulation of business has widened dramatically since 2007. Currently, almost three-quarters of Republicans say there is too much regulation, compared with one-quarter of Democrats.
Republicans have historically been more likely than Democrats to report there is too much government regulation of business and industry. The gap narrowed to four points in 2006, when a high of 36% of Democrats said there was too much regulation. It has widened since then, particularly after Obama's 2009 inauguration, mostly due to the surge in Republican views that there is too much regulation. Democrats' views have changed little since Obama became president.
While a sizable gap remains between Republicans and Democrats as to whether there is too much government regulation of business and industry, the divide narrowed slightly to 47 points this year from its peak of 62 points in 2011.
