Goldsboro News-Argus Opinion Poll

What do you think about President Barack Obama's handling of the war in the Middle East?

Started on 07/26/2010

I think he was right to increase pressure on the Afghanistan battlefront — that's where the focus should be.: - 5%; (17 votes)
I think he has not committed the troops and established the engagement policy that wins wars.: - 7%; (25 votes)
I think he has not kept his promise to move troops out of the region fast enough.: - 8%; (29 votes)
I think his comments, his foreign policy efforts have weakened us in the eyes of the enemy — and that is derailing the military effort.: - 65%; (242 votes)
I think the president is doing the best he can with a war that was not handled properly in the first place.: - 16%; (58 votes)

Total Votes: 371

What do you think of President Barack Obama's performance so far as president?

Started on 07/19/2010

I voted for him, and I stick by him. Change comes slowly and painfully. He needs more time to get the job done. I am pleased with the progress he has made.: - 22%; (182 votes)
I voted for him, and I am disappointed. He has talked a lot, but what has he really accomplished? I am still on the fence about supporting him for re-election.: - 3%; (21 votes)
I voted for him, and I am sorry I did. He has not accomplished what he said he was going to do and the decisions he has made have been ill-advised. I want my vote back and I will campaign against him.: - 3%; (27 votes)
I did not vote for him, but I support the efforts he is making to change this country. He needs more time.: - 2%; (17 votes)
I did not vote for him and I am glad I didn't. The president is changing America, all right, but not in a good way. I will actively campaign against him.: - 70%; (588 votes)

Total Votes: 835

On the economy, I am ...

Started on 07/07/2010

Bullish (confident things will turn around): - 37%; (150 votes)
Bearish (not confident things will turn around at all): - 63%; (255 votes)

Total Votes: 405

Another week and more lukewarm economic news. What do you think about the state of the economy and what should be done next?

Started on 07/07/2010

Recovery? What recovery? This needs to be the president's top priority and he needs to do more than just point fingers. It is time for some real action.: - 62%; (8 votes)
The economy is not better and the bailouts did nothing to help the average American family. The president needs some better advice and fast.: - 15%; (2 votes)
The president inherited a weak economy. He needs time to turn it around. He has made all the right moves.: - 8%; (1 votes)
The president has made some good first moves, but he needs to get focused. The economy needs action now — and not more bailouts.: - 8%; (1 votes)
Tax cuts will get this recovery moving. Give people a reason to feel confident that things are getting better.: - 8%; (1 votes)

Total Votes: 13

How do you feel about internet "sweepstakes" parlors and the state's proposed rules against them?

Started on 06/23/2010

I see no difference between lottery, bingo and these parlors. Gambling is gambling. It all ought to go.: - 26%; (108 votes)
I see no harm in this - people can choose to gamble anywhere. Let the market decide whether they stay open.: - 26%; (108 votes)
Let's keep them — but let's charge them fees to stay open. People will gamble anyway - why not make revenue for the city.: - 22%; (92 votes)
No to internet parlors, but I have no problem with bingo and the lottery. There is less potential for a person to gamble away a paycheck.: - 11%; (46 votes)
This is unfair. A city or state should not be able to charge large fees to put a business out of business. Limit where they can open.: - 16%; (65 votes)

Total Votes: 419

In the wake of the Gulf Coast oil disaster, what do you think the state of North Carolina should do about drilling for oil or natural gas off the coast?

Started on 06/11/2010

Absolutely no drilling whatsoever. The oil companies can't be trusted and our coast is too valuable a natural resource to take any chances.: - 31%; (139 votes)
Drill, baby, drill. We need the fuel and the odds of another accident are too long not to give it a try.: - 34%; (156 votes)
State leaders shouldn't rule oil out exploration but they should proceed with caution and only explore for oil if the people of the state directly vote on the issue.: - 35%; (160 votes)

Total Votes: 455

Do you think President Barack Obama has done enough in connection with the oil spill in the Gulf?

Started on 05/31/2010

Yes, this is BP's mess. The government has responded as it should.: - 26%; (145 votes)
No, there should have been a better response from the beginning. We need a containment plan now.: - 33%; (181 votes)
No more speech-making. The president should have been pushing for a massive cleanup plan now.: - 26%; (143 votes)
Government should be figuring out how to make sure this does not happen again.: - 7%; (40 votes)
BP and state officials have been hampered, not helped, by government interference to this point.: - 8%; (47 votes)

Total Votes: 556

What do you think about racial equity in the Wayne County schools?

Started on 05/20/2010

Children of color are treated differently — in discipline and in educational opportunity. Segregation is the problem.: - 11%; (68 votes)
Race is not the issue — background and support at home are. Address what is really wrong.: - 42%; (256 votes)
There are too many children slipping through the cracks. Demand that all children master skills before moving on to the next grade and change dropout age — no matter what parents say.: - 11%; (68 votes)
Neighborhood schools are the answer. Smaller classes, more attention and more accountability. Shuffling kids around will artificially raise test scores and graduation rates, not teach teens how to read.: - 18%; (110 votes)
Some children simply will not do the work and interfere with the education of those who do. Separate them and concentrate on those who want to be there — of all races.: - 18%; (107 votes)

Total Votes: 609

With so much happening, what are you paying the most attention to now?

Started on 05/10/2010

The stock market and the overall financial health of the nation.: - 16%; (55 votes)
Local government's budget talks — and the possible city tax increase.: - 14%; (51 votes)
The new Supreme Court justice confirmation process.: - 3%; (9 votes)
Terrorism concerns — and what our nation's next step should be in the Middle East.: - 8%; (29 votes)
I am concerned about all of the above.: - 59%; (208 votes)

Total Votes: 352

The city of Goldsboro is indicating it will need to ask residents to pay more in taxes this year to stay in the black. What do you think about that?

Started on 04/21/2010

No way. There is still fat to be cut from the city budget. Cut it, then look at the budget again.: - 46%; (338 votes)
Costs are going up — it is reasonable to assume budgets would not be able to stay the same. I would pay more to keep services the same.: - 4%; (29 votes)
I would support offsetting higher costs — just not new projects. We have the Paramount. We do not need a recreation center.: - 11%; (82 votes)
No taxes. No way. Cut until there is no need to raise taxes — if services go, they go.: - 29%; (211 votes)
This community cannot afford to stand still. I would consider supporting a tax hike, with a plan behind it.: - 10%; (71 votes)

Total Votes: 731

Poll Archive