A majority of American voters across nearly all demographics believe the U.S. system of government does not work and needs major reforms or a complete overhaul.
A new poll shows that 58 percent of people believe the U.S. democracy needs reform or an overhaul, showing how trust has eroded across the political spectrum.
There is discontent across the political spectrum. Republican discontent is driven by their widespread, unfounded doubts about the legitimacy of elections.
Democrat discontent is due to the realization that even if they control the White House and Congress, Republicans — with allies in gerrymander state legislatures and the Supreme Court — are the ones achieving long-sought political goals.
Republican distrust in the system grows from the roots of former President Donald Trump. Trump’s domination of the Republican Party has fed discontent. For seven years, he relentlessly attacked the country’s institutions.
And after nearly a decade of Trump eroding institutions and public trust in them, a broad majority of Republicans share his views on the 2020 election and its aftermath.
Sixty one percent of Republicans say Trump was the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election. And 72 percent described the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection on the Capitol as a protest that got out of hand.
The poll said that among all voters across political divides, nearly 50 percent said the Capitol riot was an attempt to overthrow the government. Another 55 percent said Trump’s actions following the election threatened American democracy.
Democrats saw the insurrection and post-election actions of Trump very differently. Among the Dems, 84 percent said the Capitol insurrection was an attempt to overthrow the government. A whopping 92 percent said Trump threatened U.S. democracy.
Democrats are pessimistic about the future. It stems from the party’s seeming inability to protect abortion rights, pass sweeping gun control measures, and pursue other priorities in the face of staunch Republican opposition.
The poll shows bipartisan cynicism over the government.
It signals a huge philosophical shift. For generations, Democrats have campaigned on ideas that government is a force for good. Republicans, on the other hand, campaigned on limiting it.
Now the number of Americans in both parties who believe the government is capable of responding to public concern has shrunk.
Be the first to comment