A new poll shows that 46% of Americans believe Democrats "care more about the needs of people like you" while just 39% say Republicans care more. But when asked which party can better help the people on specific issues as opposed to the general "who cares more" question, Republicans win hands down. So why the disconnect? Why are so many Americans clinging to a failed and destructive ideology when they themselves believe it's not working in their lives?

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Here are some of the specific issues on which respondents were asked whether the statement applies more to Democrats or Republicans:

• Can manage the government effectively. (Republicans 44% Democrats 36%)
  
  
• Can improve economic conditions. (Republicans 46% Democrats 43%)
  
  
• Can protect the country from terrorism. (Republicans 47% Democrats 33%)
  
  
• Shares your view of the proper size and power of the federal government. (Republicans 48% Democrats 40%)
  
  
• Is patriotic. (Republicans 43% Democrats 29%)
  
  
• Agrees with you on issues you care about. (Republicans 46% Democrats 44%)
  
  
• Can bring the kind of change the country needs. (Republicans 43% Democrats 43%) (source)

Even considering the "tie" on that last question, these results do not explain the 46%-39% general "who cares more" response. It's the same disconnect displayed by current Presidential vs. Congressional approval ratings. While Congress holds an all-time low job approval score of 11%, President Obama has a less than stellar but still much higher rating of 44%.

Considering Congress has earned that horrendous lack of approval mostly by passing (or trying to pass) items on the Obama agenda and the majority of Americans disapprove of such Obama administration decisions as criminal trials for terrorists, suing the state of Arizona for trying to protect it's border and ever more deficit spending; it makes little sense that so many people would approve of the president yet disapprove of those who do his bidding.

So what's the answer? Why do many Americans give President Obama higher marks and believe Democrats care more while they think Republicans will do a better job on the issues that matter? It might just be the likeability factor - choosing a person they find charming or a party they are used to supporting for decades.

But more likely it is that a large segment of the American people have been bamboozled into believing that the president and his party actually care more about people than their own power. Unfortunately for Obama & Company, as star-struck as they may be by celebrated personality and generic propaganda, the people are focusing with pinpoint accuracy on the actual issues.