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Most Americans are angry with their government masters
Poll: Most Americans angry with leaders by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Catherine Dodge Sept. 16, 2011 12:00 AM Bloomberg News WASHINGTON - A majority of Americans are angry and frustrated with elected officials, and more than four in 10 have given up hope in Washington's ability to help them get through the economic slump. More than a third of Americans say they "wish" President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans would compromise, while 28 percent say they are frustrated by the political fighting, according to a Bloomberg National Poll conducted Sept. 9-12. More than a quarter say they are "angry and want to throw them all out." The findings highlight the depths of public ire directed at Washington after months of gridlock and brinksmanship between Obama and House Republicans, a dynamic that could harm both sides in next year's elections. Only 8 percent said they thought elected officials were doing the best they could. Most unhappy Americans blame Republicans for the problems in Washington. The survey shows that 39 percent of poll respondents blame either Obama or congressional Democrats, while 45 percent pinned responsibility on congressional Republicans. Anger and frustration is highest among Republicans - 62 percent of whom described themselves that way - and independents, 58 percent of whom did. It's also prevalent among Democrats, with 41 percent expressing those sentiments. The poll of 997 adults was conducted by Iowa-based Selzer & Co. and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Fifty-four percent described themselves as "hopeful" that Washington would get something done in the next year that would help them economically. Forty-three percent said they "have given up hope" that Washington could positively impact them. |