Are Americans fed up with ‘Politics’? How about you?
Pew Research published an article based on a study on Sept. 19, 2023. It is titled Americans’ Dismal Views of the Nation’s Politics
65% say they always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … -politics/
Sixty-five percent? That is over 168 million people over the age of 18. Those are eligible voters.
Let’s get to the nitty-gritty right off the bat. Let me ask questions now about being fed up with politics.
First, Does being fed up mean they will or will not vote come 2024?
Second, would you bet your bottom dollar our politicians today will give attention to this study?
Are you fed up with politics in the U.S.? Not Biden, not Trump, not Democrats, not Republicans, but Politics itself. Yes, those mentioned are in the mix and are focal points contributing to problems depending on perspective. But, overall does politics today stink to high heaven?
How long do you think Americans have had the perspective that politics stinks to high heaven? In your view was there a turning point? Why?
Today, is it a generational thing? Does how one feels the importance of politics come into play differ by age group?
What are your thoughts on how to right the ship of the public’s sentiment on politics? Is that important? Does it matter when thinking of the future of this nation? How long will it take? Do you trust our politicians today to do it? What about the system itself?
Next, the following are some of the highlights of the report produced by Pew Research. Let me clarify, from page one of the twelve-page report.
** Just 4% of U.S. adults say the political system is working extremely or very well; another 23% say it is working somewhat well. About six-in-ten (63%) express not too much or no confidence at all in the future of the U.S. political system.
** Positive views of many governmental and political institutions are at historic lows. Just 16% of the public say they trust the federal government always or most of the time.
** A growing share of the public dislikes both political parties. Nearly three-in-ten (28%) express unfavorable views of both parties, the highest share in three decades of polling. And a comparable share of adults (25%) do not feel well-represented by either party.
** Candidate choices are underwhelming. As the presidential campaign heats up, 63% of Americans say they are dissatisfied with the candidates who have emerged so far. Just 26% rate the quality of political candidates as very or somewhat good, down about 20 percentage points since 2018.
** How Americans feel when they think about politics.
Exhausted = 65%
Angry = 55%
Hopeful = 10%
Excited = 4%
** Top descriptive words for the state of politics today
Divisive
Corrupt
Chaos
Messy
Polarized
The questions for the OP have been asked. But, just for enticement if it strikes curiosity listed next are the twelve topics of the report. They each may be a talking point. The link to the page is provided for convenience.
1 - Introduction with general sentiment. That is the landing page from the link above. Highlights were discovered earlier in the OP.
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … -politics/
2 - The biggest problems and greatest strengths of the U.S. political system
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … al-system/
3 - Views of the U.S. political system, the federal government, and federal-state relations
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … relations/
4 - How Americans view Congress, the president, state and local political leaders
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … l-leaders/
5 - The Republican and Democratic parties
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … c-parties/
6 - Money, power, and the influence of ordinary people in American politics
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … -politics/
7 - Evaluations of members of Congress and the biggest problem with elected officials today
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … als-today/
8 - Candidate quality and what drives elected officials to run for office
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … or-office/
9 - The presidency and presidential politics
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … -politics/
10 - How well the major parties represent Americans, the public’s feelings about more political parties
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … l-parties/
11 - How Americans view proposals to change the political system
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … al-system/
12 - Americans’ feelings about politics, polarization and the tone of political discourse
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … discourse/
Acknowledgments
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … ledgments/
Survey Methodology
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 … thodology/Wish the voting wouldn't be greater than the last time. The two top scammers in the world are the madd Financial greedy and the Government Gods. They won't loose their superpowers unless we ignore them.
Many Americans are seeing through politics & politicians. They realize that politicians are playing chess w/the former's lives. They know that politicians only view them as pawns in their career goals. They indicated that politicians are only concerned w/celebrity, aggrandizement, & their own posterity after political careers. As the saying goes, politics is celebrity for others.
Politics is now a lucrative game. Many are going into politics as a stepping stone to other venues. Politics is a way of gaining wealth. Also Republicans & Democrats are playing the party game. They say one thing to the public yet they socialize w/each other.
Also, there are people who feel powerless & view politicians as godlike figures who will save them socioeconomically. Many people are realizing that the politicians won't save. They contend that they have to take responsibility for themselves & their families. They are learning to own & exercise their own power.Interesting you mentioned a game of chess is much like political game of hirachy. Out out 600 games a person can play in the game of life. Chess was the worse game overall studied and Tit for tat was the best game in life. Tit for tat was codified as a game theory strategy by mathematical psychologist Anatol Rapoport, but it builds upon our instinctual notions of reciprocity. It teaches us that our best option when dealing with other people we cannot trust entirely is to reciprocate their choices.. I was one of crossroads for me becoming an mini anarchist. A deeply misunderstood way of thinking,, even atheist are understood better. I like knowing things and being the king of my own domain. No one above me and no one below me, strong individualism.
Yes, I agree with much of what you shared, Grace. Power, power, power! An article from 2016 by the Atlantic says, "New research suggests being in charge is appealing because it offers freedom—not because it allows people to control others." Do you believe that? I waver on it from a personal perspective. I will have to ponder our politicians!!
People Want Power Because They Want Autonomy by the Atlantic (Mar 22, 2016)
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch … my/474669/
When I was in charge of a Tire & Repair store I didn't feel I was powerful, though those who were under my charge may have felt so. I believed I was being responsible to them allowing them to exercise their freedom to grow as an individual while gathering experience in their trade.
However, when I worked in the corporate office I was a lone person in my office. I had six people in the corporate arena that had charge over me. They conflicted too as to who got priority for my projects. Of course, the owner of the company came first. As you can see I had my own pecking order. I was able to exercise my power, yet at times I suffered from it.
I would have to agree with this assessment.
Too much has happened that has drained a person's emotions and taxed their thinking.
Politics in the United States is now very intense mentally and emotionally.
I would say U.S. citizens are burning out on all the shocking and upsetting political events taking place.The 65% say that they are exhausted from politics is somewhat alarming to me. Also, "Just 4% of U.S. adults say the political system is working extremely or very well."
Then comes the top descriptive words of the state of politics:
Divisive
Corrupt
Chaos
Messy
Polarized
Personally, I am somewhat numb about it.
I can never get bored with politics as what happens in Washington or Tallahassee can affect the quality of my life. I can never to be lulled into complacency or indifference because I am wary of the sheer power these people have.
I'm proud of you Cred! I have a strong interest in politics only because of the fun in these forums. Otherwise, I wouldn't really care. Sad!
Yet, what are your feelings about average Joe and Jill? The study says only 4% think the system is working. Only 16% say they trust our federal government. Those two alone speak volumes to me.Yeah, the forums help me let off a little steam.
In reality, for the most part the system have never really "worked" as an ideal. It continues to be a work in progress. In the march of human events, what is perfect? Well, I have a little more faith in our institutions than that.
Some repairs consistently were needed in the past and will be needed in the future. But the idea of government from, by and for the people must always be at the forefront. We lose sight of that, we lose our identity in its entirety.
Those are some very ENCOURAGING numbers, taking some liberty with them, I'd say that means at least a third recognize our federal government, the corruption, the lack of accountability to the people, is THE problem.
The Federal government is out of control, at home, and abroad. It is bringing about our economic destruction, our civil deconstruction, and is cultivating conflict in too many places across the globe.
Why?
Because it serves the interests of the Billionaire and Trillionaire class, because of Lobbyists and how the unelected now run the country... the CIA, NSA, FBI, Department of Justice, FDA, EPA, IRS, etc. etc. none of these agencies and departments are elected positions... some of them have become more powerful than Congress itself.
The system is completely broken, voting no longer matters, the politicians you are given to choose from at the federal level are, overwhelmingly, part of the same corrupt system.
That so many recognize this is the most hopeful statistic I have seen in many years... it means when the real hard times hit (Biden has them coming full speed ahead) enough of the American public might have had enough to stand up and do something."Those are some very ENCOURAGING numbers, taking some liberty with them, I'd say that means at least a third recognize our federal government, the corruption, the lack of accountability to the people, is THE problem."
Ken, that certainly is another perspective that rings the bell of truth. Yes, with the public's sentiment so low on the political system is stating they're fed up and want change. If not they just won't participate, right?
Plus, a vacuum will occur and as with what science says something will fill that vacuum. Nature always wants to fill a vacuum, but with what is the question?Who can say... maybe it is not my destiny to die of old age in a comfortable bed.
Maybe it is not the destiny of our generation to roll over and accept the demise of all our fathers and grandfathers worked, fought, and persevered to create.
Maybe all it will take is the inevitable, soon to come, collapse of our economy. Then in one last great effort, our generation will stand up and right the wrongs we have allowed to happen over these past decades and set about ensuring this is a Nation by the People and for the People again.
Today it is not.
There I said it... I voiced a truth we all try to dance around.
Today our government is a totalitarian and oppressive empire that is determined to make the rest of the world heel under its boot.
Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Russia, Iran, China... how many nations are we going to war against... to destroy and leave in ruins?
The Stages of Totalitarianism: America Is Moving from Authoritarian to Totalitarian
I felt much freer in Bosnia this summer than I do now in the United States. In every city I visited there, I found no restrictions on travel, speech, or medical decision-making. Criminality was frowned upon, rather than encouraged. The people I spoke with appeared to be well-informed on issues of importance to their local community. In contrast, Los Angeles, where I live and work, is an authoritarian city. So is the state of California. And so is the United States as a whole. Soon, though, America may progress from an authoritarian nation to a totalitarian state. How did we arrive at this stage?
We lost freedom of speech a long time ago. And we allowed it to happen by first ceding control of our language to authoritarians. We agreed to substitute the word “theft” with “equity,” “revenge” with “social justice,” “racism” with “anti-racism,” and “homogeneity, discrimination, and exclusion” with “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Even the most basic of words, “male,” has now been redefined from “of or referring to men or boys” to “having a gender identity that is the opposite of female.” Merriam-Webster made this decision in 2020.
He who controls language controls society. The American people no longer control their language. The authoritarians do, and they alone decide what words mean and who can use them.
No governing system becomes totalitarian overnight. It must first pass through a stage of authoritarianism, where freedoms are slowly removed, as overlords issue pronouncements on what their subjects can no longer do. One of the first to go, perhaps the most important, is the freedom to express ourselves without constraint or censorship.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/stages-to … an/5797219
“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” — James Madison
War is the enemy of freedom.
As long as America’s politicians continue to involve us in wars that bankrupt the nation, jeopardize our servicemen and women, increase the chances of terrorism and blowback domestically, and push the nation that much closer to eventual collapse, “we the people” will find ourselves in a perpetual state of tyranny.
https://www.rutherford.org/publications … edom_shortBoth are enlightening articles, Ken. However, both leave me questioning more than providing answers. Perhaps, a product of my ignorance, yet once recognized the pursuit of truths relative to 'myself' is key. We each have our own sets of values and principles we function with.
Fortunately, we each in this nation have the liberty to pursue those, though some may say is misguided. Yet, I question, more so in recent years, if liberty itself by both the left and right is being threatened as they seek power over the populace.Yes I agree, things are relative to each of us, based on our own truths and perceptions.
We continue to have an acceptable amount of social order and cohesion within America because of our abundance and economic stability.
If that economic stability goes away... if all the savings accounts, 401ks, IRAs, etc. of all but the 1% disappears tomorrow because of systemic collapse of the economy... what then?
Will Americans stand by and allow themselves to be impoverished, because we allowed our government to go on warring against the rest of the world, toppling one nation after another, for decades on end now?
Or do you believe Americans will stand up and not allow those that made them destitute get away with it?Seem that America needs more suffering and abuse before waking up. Do have faith in them.
The woke is broken.The Nation was born out of a desire to be free from tyrannical rule.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed... whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to abolish it, and to institute a new government.
THAT is why they gave us the 2nd Amendment.
Quoting Biden: “If you wanted or if you think you need to have weapons to take on the government, you need F-15s and maybe some nuclear weapons. The point is that there has always been the ability to limit the type of weapon that can be owned and who can own it."
Of course Biden is wrong about this, as he is about so many things.
The 2nd Amendment was created by men who had just fought a war to secure their freedom, they knew the dangers of tyrannical rule and government that does not answer to the people.
Biden and this Administration perfectly represent that form of government today. Enough Americans still have blinders on to this reality, most of us are too comfortable in our lives, we have plenty, we are getting along just fine.
But our government has gone a long way to stripping away our rights and the opportunity for younger generations... our government is invasive and collaborative with big corporations snuffing out privacy and small businesses.
This will be tolerated only so long as enough Americans are still living in that 'life of plenty' reality... when the economy does what the Biden Administration has insured will occur with its many trillions spending spree and hundreds of billions spent on foreign wars... I wonder if people will still tolerate it?I think the French Revolution started it and the American Constitutiozed it. For Freedom of groups and individuals for the first time in human history. Before it was all kings and dictatorship.
I had mix feeling about weapons, My body is a highly skilled weapon. With a gun I'm three time more likely to kill myself or some I know. On the other hand USSR is an example of when we don't fight fire with fire.
Canada, Trudeau tried to take away all our guns. Our licensing for a gun is very difficult as it is. Because Canada per capita has 1/7th of the guns and 1/4 of the crimes than the US. It seem the stronger licencing of US guns would make it safer. Yet with US having 10 times the population, it becomes a hell of a balancing act.
Reality is a matter of perspective some say only perspective. I'm alway open to all perspectives, although do have a BS detector. When ever my dial breaks off the scale of the Bs Detector. Like with Trudeau and Biden, it time to ignore them as much as possible, so they loose their powers. And just get rid of negative people. We learn military tactics and taxes from ants in ancient times. About 5% of ants did not work at all, basically useless freeloaders . Perhaps ants would make a better role model for us to follow.
I am an Indian. So, I express my general opinions.
Politics exhaust me. I do not like anyone talking about politics.
Yes, the picture is hazy. You can't bet on any party. All are the same scapegoats. You may say the cat on the wall.
It is dirty politics, each one accusing the other. They do not like looking into their own bad points or weaknesses.Thanks for jumping in Venkatachari. At least we, here in the U.S., are not alone. I enjoy the politics and social topics here at HP. But, I don't talk about politics in my normal life. It is taboo at family functions.
I agree with you.
Your response reminds me of something a person told me when I was visiting a foreign country.
He said politics are the same all over the world. Dirty, disgusting, and a necessary evil that will never go away.Government is an corrupted ugly show business
https://fb.watch/o00wYbZJFb/?mibextid=NnVzG8
Confession of a Jewish/Zionist
Credence 2? You live in Florida?????? That is about as likely as me living in Cobb County Georgia - the home of Newt Gingrich. We are in mission country the both of us.
Hi, Kathleen, yeah, I live here. We are natives now living here for 10 years, previously living in Hawaii.
Florida has been a purple state at least for a while. I prefer the Rockies and the 4 seasons of Colorado and its political milieu. As long as I did not have to work anymore, the falling snow on a winters day was just an adornment rather than a nasty commute to the office. So let it snow.....
Yes, I am a fish out of water, relative to life in the Big Island of Hawaii, or Boulder County, Colorado. Now, Immersed in a world of gigantic pickup trucks with "Trump won" flags flying at the rear.
Having to leave Hawaii primarily because the sulfur dioxide fumes from the active volcano that affected my wife's asthma conditions, we had to compromise as to where we move next. We had the hair brained scheme of moving to Panama. We stayed for 5 months, we were welcomed. But the sanitation conditions and the state of health care was abysmal. It would never do, as she is of poor health. She has lived in Hawaii 30 years and was spoiled to a tropical climate, so I could not talk her into a nice quiet rural area in Colorado, because of the snow and ice.
So, we drew a line across the southern US, below the line were warm weather climates above was otherwise. I lived in Southern California for 4 years, too expensive and crowded. Arizona was generally a hot desert, with a political atmosphere that made it uninhabitable. New Mexico was too cold at any part of the state. Texas was out as I have an aversion to its annoying and aggressive conservative politics. All the states along the Gulf coast were generally too cold, right out to Jacksonville Fl. We were left with Florida, Miami/DadeCounty was too busy and expensive. Central Florida was a relative backwater, inexpensive (until recently), and no frost. So we settled here.
I do have a mission, to show the fraud associated with Trump and the political right in general. To make people aware of the danger to our democratic traditions and our system of Government by those that would prefer autocracy and despotism, regardless of the endlessly clever ways they try to disguise it for what it is.
I speak to all who would listen and to those that don't, the message is still out there all the same.
Mick Jagger said, that you can't always get what you want, but if try sometimes you just might find, that you can get what you need.My metro Atlanta county went blue in the last two presidential elections and the last two senatorial elections. For our trouble the GOP-led state legislature carved us into four congressional districts. I'm now a part of a heavily rural district that goes all the way to Alabama and Tennessee. We are the only county in the state with four districts. Guess who my rep in the US House is? MTG!!!!!!!!!! But the court case just demanded the maps be redrawn so we'll see.
BTW: I just got home from two weeks in Hawaii! Heaven on earth.Majorie Taylor Greene, she is ridiculous. I feel sorry for you...
Did you visit the Big Island when you were in Hawaii?Only Oahu. My parents had a timeshare in Kona.
MTG? Here's hoping the courts save me!
Related Discussions
- 11
Do you think that democracy is a flawed political system? What will be your reco
by syras mamun 14 years ago
Do you think that democracy is a flawed political system? What will be your recommendations to...make democracy more effective ?
- 46
Improving U.S. Political System
by Kathryn L Hill 8 years ago
Democrats expect people to pull together to help one another in a collective way. They do not realize this system removes a certain amount of individual freedom through raising taxes. Republicans want to empower the individual by keeping taxes low. They believe individuals, (through the self-effort...
- 62
Are Democrats and Republicans the same party?
by SportsBetter 12 years ago
Are Democrats and Republicans the same party?If you look at the facts, you can see many similarities between Republicans and Democrats. One is they both get funding from Goldman Sachs. Why would the same people fund both parties? Both parties agree with The Federal Reserve printing money, going...
- 35
Wow! The question is who lied the most? About what? Lying in Politics?
by Tim Mitchell 2 months ago
First, this is inspired from the discussion of the recent debate between Trump and Harris in the media, social media, and here in the Politics and Social Issues topic.Next, for pondering and getting the cogs turning . . ."The moment we no longer have a free press, anything can happen. What...
- 36
Democrats and Republicans
by Pr0metheus 14 years ago
Democrats can't do crap. They're too busy arguing amongst themselves to actually get anything done, even when they had a "super majority".Republicans won't agree with anything Obama says. They are trying so hard to make it seem like Obama is failing they can't see through the...
- 5
What are the 10 ways that the current political system in the United States need
by Grace Marguerite Williams 10 years ago
What are the 10 ways that the current political system in the United States need a total overhauland revamping, having government and officials who REALLY care about and work for the constituents, instead of their own self-interests?