Little Change in Public’s Response to ‘Capitalism,’ ‘Socialism’
The recent Occupy Wall Street protests have focused public attention on what organizers see as the excesses of America’s free market system, but perceptions of capitalism — and even of socialism — have changed little since early 2010 despite the recent tumult.
Tax System Seen as Unfair, in Need of Overhaul
Public dissatisfaction with the tax system has grown over the past decade, and the focus of the public’s frustration is not how much they themselves pay, but rather the impression that wealthy people are not paying their fair share.
In 2007, Mood Just Beginning to Sour, Democrats Better Regarded
As another presidential election year approaches, the political and economic landscape has changed in a number of ways since four years ago. The public’s mood was not very good, but still a lot better than it is today.
Frustration with Congress Could Hurt Republican Incumbents
Public discontent with Congress has reached record levels, and the implications for incumbents in next year’s elections could be stark. The Republican Party is taking more of the blame than the Democrats for a do-nothing Congress.
Gingrich Leads, But Likely GOP Primary Voters Have Not Ruled Out Romney
Newt Gingrich holds a substantial 35% to 21% lead over Mitt Romney among Republican and Republican-leaning independent voters who say they are very likely to vote in the GOP primaries or caucuses.
For Gingrich, Age May Just Be a Number
As the newly anointed GOP frontrunner, Newt Gingrich is facing increased scrutiny about his record, policy proposals and temperament. But so far, Gingrich’s age – he will turn 69 next summer – has virtually escaped notice.
An ‘Iron Hand’ Is No Substitute For Democracy
The experience of the former Soviet Union’s struggles to make the transition to a more open society holds an important lesson for the Middle East, a region in which the democratic tide still swells despite panicked opposition from some and the efforts of others to regulate its tempo.
Illegal Immigration: Gaps Between and Within Parties
The public continues to support tough measures to crack down on illegal immigration, but also a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally.
Modest Rise in Number Saying There Is “Solid Evidence” of Global Warming
There has been a modest increase over the past two years in the percentage of Americans who say there is solid evidence of global warming, although substantially fewer Americans say there is solid evidence of global warming than did so from 2006 to 2008.
Romney’s Mormon Faith Likely a Factor in Primaries, Not in a General Election
About half of all voters, and 60% of evangelical Republicans, know that Mitt Romney is a Mormon. The former Massachusetts governor’s religion has implications for his nomination run, but not for the general election should he be nominated as his party’s standard bearer.
