Rasmussen reports that 67% of the American oppose a plan to bailout General Motors.

The embattled automaker has serious issues – it has fought off bankruptcy for decades. Every time it got into trouble, it called on Washington to bail it out, and Washington complied. President Obama and Democrats in Congress now plan to do the same thing.

But Americans have had enough. They are no longer willing to pay for companies that have solely themselves to blame for their problems.

Only 21% of voters nationwide support a plan for the government to bail out General Motors as part of a structured bankruptcy plan to keep the troubled auto giant in business.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% are opposed to a plan that would provide GM with $50 billion in funding and give the government a 70% ownership interest in the company.

If the choice, then, is between bankruptcy and a bailout:

Even when presented with the stark choice between providing government funding or letting GM go out of business, only 32% of voters support the bailout. Most voters (56%) say it would be better to let GM go out of business.

This only means one thing: Republicans should oppose any possible future bailouts, including one for GM, as passionately as they can. They’ve got the majority of the American people on their side on this one. Use popular opinion to force Democrats to play defense.

If Republicans want to make a comeback in Congress 1.5 years from now, they have to convince Americans that they are more than “Democrat lite,” that Americans have to vote Republican if they want to restore some sense of fiscal responsibility in Washington.

Opposing bailouts are the easiest way for Republicans to do so. They must use this opportunity.