Poll: Half of Americans now predict U.S. may 'cease to be a democracy' someday

[Evilroddy]

Well that solves that. Cheers!

Lycanthrope:

Not necessarily:

Remember that study saying America is an oligarchy? 3 rebuttals say it’s wrong.

Vox is a general interest news site for the 21st century. Its mission: to help everyone understand our complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. In text, video and audio, our reporters explain politics, policy, world affairs, technology, culture, science, the climate crisis, money...

www.vox.com

Cheers and be well represented?
Evilroddy.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Lycanthrope:

Not necessarily:

Remember that study saying America is an oligarchy? 3 rebuttals say it’s wrong.

Vox is a general interest news site for the 21st century. Its mission: to help everyone understand our complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. In text, video and audio, our reporters explain politics, policy, world affairs, technology, culture, science, the climate crisis, money...

www.vox.com

Cheers and be well represented?
Evilroddy.

Middle class always had power.

Getting them to a) recognize it and b) employ it is the trick. And it's why the powers that be on both sides, beholden to their corporate interests, do everything to keep red and blue at each others' throats. Divide and conquer.

 

[Jezcoe]

Another poster that clings to what ever BS it's fed.


Like democrats freaking out because asian students perform better than their pet race and and go on a binge of denying them access to universities and public schools?

It there like a random response generator at work?

 

[Port & Starboard]

It there like a random response generator at work?

is?

 

[Jezcoe]

is?

Yeah. You got me.

Autocorrect ruined my joke.

Dammit.

 

[Hypothetical]

That makes sense. See, in 2016 there was a guy named Trump that got elected president via a democratic process. Roughly half the nation lost their shit over that development and now, after careful consideration and dumptrucks full of money earmarked to "protect democracy" we are a nation on a mission to only elect candidates from the "approved" pool of nominees. Approval comes from the political class and as long as they stay in power they get to determine how we define "democracy". We do this, of course, bearing in mind that even North Korea has democratic elections.

if we are not quite there yet, we are on our way.

 

[multivita-man]

Sad part is may will cheer when that happens

When it happens -- but not for long. They're too stupid to understand that if they're not part of the elite, they're pests.

 

[Doppelgangirl]

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that most Democrats (55%) and Republicans (53%) now believe it is “likely” that America will “cease to be a democracy in the future” — a stunning expression of bipartisan despair about the direction of the country.

Poll: Half of Americans now predict U.S. may 'cease to be a democracy' someday

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that most Democrats (55%) and Republicans (53%) now believe it is “likely” that America will “cease to be a democracy in the future” — a stunning expression of bipartisan despair about the direction of the country.

www.yahoo.com

More than half of Democrats and half of Republicans believe America will cease to be a democracy in the future. Further? Nearly half of Americans have zero interest in the January 6th hearings.

So while the data indicates that many Americans seem to be losing faith in the future of U.S. democracy, relatively few seem interested in reckoning with a real-life attempt to undermine it. That raises a disturbing question: Have Americans simply given up on democracy?

The poll doesn’t go quite that far. But it does suggest that Americans have largely given up on each other.

That last part feels especially accurate, and especially sad. Not a lot to be optimistic about here. Jingoism and rhetoric, partisan sniping and snark are easy - too few seeming willing to rise above and put in the hard work democracy requires.

I'm no different, or better.

I think the states will resemble the Balkans…

I think our two party system exacerbates the division— we’re forced into an “either/or” decision. Both parties have moved further apart on the political spectrum, we are operating from extremes.

I love America. I would not want to live in ‘Murica.”

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

Why do you assume no democracy means no rules? Government isn't the only source of law, in fact it is a particularly bad source of law. Would you like to me to give you a thousand or so examples of dumbass government laws?

What other organization is a source of laws that would be enforceable?

 

[Checkerboard Strangler]

Are we really going to just "let it happen" and climb into the cattle cars?

 

[Perotista]

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that most Democrats (55%) and Republicans (53%) now believe it is “likely” that America will “cease to be a democracy in the future” — a stunning expression of bipartisan despair about the direction of the country.

Poll: Half of Americans now predict U.S. may 'cease to be a democracy' someday

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that most Democrats (55%) and Republicans (53%) now believe it is “likely” that America will “cease to be a democracy in the future” — a stunning expression of bipartisan despair about the direction of the country.

www.yahoo.com

More than half of Democrats and half of Republicans believe America will cease to be a democracy in the future. Further? Nearly half of Americans have zero interest in the January 6th hearings.

So while the data indicates that many Americans seem to be losing faith in the future of U.S. democracy, relatively few seem interested in reckoning with a real-life attempt to undermine it. That raises a disturbing question: Have Americans simply given up on democracy?

The poll doesn’t go quite that far. But it does suggest that Americans have largely given up on each other.

That last part feels especially accurate, and especially sad. Not a lot to be optimistic about here. Jingoism and rhetoric, partisan sniping and snark are easy - too few seeming willing to rise above and put in the hard work democracy requires.

I'm no different, or better.

I think quite a lot of Americans have given up on democracy. Especially in today’s modern political era of polarization, the great divide and the super, mega, ultra-high partisanship. The party faithful of both parties are more loyal to their political party than America. Both are more interested in doing what is good for the party, not the country. I think a lot of folks are just plain tired of all the partisan BS, the propaganda, the lies each say about the other party.

I’d say most Americans want to see our two major parties work together, to compromise, to play that old political game of give and take. Not to automatically oppose anything and everything the other party proposes only because the other party proposed it. No thoughts given to the merits of the proposal.

I’d say we want our representatives to reflect the mood, wants, wishes of the people of their districts and senators of their states. To represent those who sent them to Washington. Not once they get to Washington becoming a slave to the party they belong to and cease listening to the folks back home.

I’d sum it up this way, for way too long we’ve been sending Republicans and Democrats to Washington who happen to be Americans instead of Americans who happen to be Republicans and Democrats. There’s no doubt in my mind that our elected officials could solve almost all our problems if they wanted to. But they don’t, those problems are far more important to them to use in firing up their base than to solve. Once solved, that problem isn’t there anymore to fire up their base.

Yes, a lot of us have given up on democracy as it is played in today’s modern political era. The blame can be laid at the leaders of both parties and their faithful who expect their members to follow the dictates of the party like mindless robots. If Democracy fails here in American, it will be a direct result of both major parties with their actions, their litmus tests, their hate for the other party, their party first attitude, their lies, propaganda, etc. It’s the two major parties that are destroying democracy. It won’t be long before they accomplish their goal.

 

[Doppelgangirl]

Are we really going to just "let it happen" and climb into the cattle cars?

No way in hell. People are not going to react well when they’re stripped of civil rights. I think the RvW ruling will bring out more anger than the other side knows.

Liberals like to procrastinate, especially the Gen Xers. I’d say 3 months ago I’d be dismissive of the possibility of serious fighting. Not anymore.

 

[Bear5131]

Not a Trump lens… just an example.

Another example is Global Climate Change.

The political argument should have been what to do about it… but the petroleum companies spent a lot of money to get people to argue that it doesn’t exist.

Basically… a separate and false reality had to be fought against instead of what solutions could be reached

The climate doesn't change, says who?

And what are we supposed to do about it??

 

[Integrityrespec]

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that most Democrats (55%) and Republicans (53%) now believe it is “likely” that America will “cease to be a democracy in the future” — a stunning expression of bipartisan despair about the direction of the country.

Poll: Half of Americans now predict U.S. may 'cease to be a democracy' someday

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that most Democrats (55%) and Republicans (53%) now believe it is “likely” that America will “cease to be a democracy in the future” — a stunning expression of bipartisan despair about the direction of the country.

www.yahoo.com

More than half of Democrats and half of Republicans believe America will cease to be a democracy in the future. Further? Nearly half of Americans have zero interest in the January 6th hearings.

So while the data indicates that many Americans seem to be losing faith in the future of U.S. democracy, relatively few seem interested in reckoning with a real-life attempt to undermine it. That raises a disturbing question: Have Americans simply given up on democracy?

The poll doesn’t go quite that far. But it does suggest that Americans have largely given up on each other.

That last part feels especially accurate, and especially sad. Not a lot to be optimistic about here. Jingoism and rhetoric, partisan sniping and snark are easy - too few seeming willing to rise above and put in the hard work democracy requires.

I'm no different, or better.

Now that's science. They both feel the US will not be a democracy in the future and I wonder why. Both side believe the other is F--king up the nation with their policies. Of course lets look, inflation, gas prices soaring, illegal immigration out of control, illegal drugs crossing the boarder out of control, can't find baby food, interest rates soaring, supply chain a mess, giving billions to fight a war in Europe, begging our enemies for oil, restricted our oil production and ended energy independence, Lock downs, schools closed, education scores failing, telling little boys they are little girls. Taking away right of free speech by banning those who have opinions that don't agree with the left wing progressives on social media, . . All of which happened under the control of democrats in the House, Senate, White House.
Who's ruining the nation?

 

[trouble13]

That was pretty much a given answer, with the rhetoric and the divisive policies and people we have leading this country.

The real question is how to change it?
Or do we keep doubling down on the invective and divisive policies?

We keep talking

 

[Lycanthrope]

I think quite a lot of Americans have given up on democracy. Especially in today’s modern political era of polarization, the great divide and the super, mega, ultra-high partisanship. The party faithful of both parties are more loyal to their political party than America. Both are more interested in doing what is good for the party, not the country. I think a lot of folks are just plain tired of all the partisan BS, the propaganda, the lies each say about the other party.

I’d say most Americans want to see our two major parties work together, to compromise, to play that old political game of give and take. Not to automatically oppose anything and everything the other party proposes only because the other party proposed it. No thoughts given to the merits of the proposal.

I’d say we want our representatives to reflect the mood, wants, wishes of the people of their districts and senators of their states. To represent those who sent them to Washington. Not once they get to Washington becoming a slave to the party they belong to and cease listening to the folks back home.

I’d sum it up this way, for way too long we’ve been sending Republicans and Democrats to Washington who happen to be Americans instead of Americans who happen to be Republicans and Democrats. There’s no doubt in my mind that our elected officials could solve almost all our problems if they wanted to. But they don’t, those problems are far more important to them to use in firing up their base than to solve. Once solved, that problem isn’t there anymore to fire up their base.

Yes, a lot of us have given up on democracy as it is played in today’s modern political era. The blame can be laid at the leaders of both parties and their faithful who expect their members to follow the dictates of the party like mindless robots. If Democracy fails here in American, it will be a direct result of both major parties with their actions, their litmus tests, their hate for the other party, their party first attitude, their lies, propaganda, etc. It’s the two major parties that are destroying democracy. It won’t be long before they accomplish their goal.

Thoughtful post, thanks for taking the time.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Now that's science. They both feel the US will not be a democracy in the future and I wonder why. Both side believe the other is F--king up the nation with their policies. Of course lets look, inflation, gas prices soaring, illegal immigration out of control, illegal drugs crossing the boarder out of control, can't find baby food, interest rates soaring, supply chain a mess, giving billions to fight a war in Europe, begging our enemies for oil, restricted our oil production and ended energy independence, Lock downs, schools closed, education scores failing, telling little boys they are little girls. Taking away right of free speech by banning those who have opinions that don't agree with the left wing progressives on social media, . . All of which happened under the control of democrats in the House, Senate, White House.
Who's ruining the nation?

So 100% the left's fault, the right are innocent patriots/victims?

 

[multivita-man]

We like to focus on the parties a lot, but let's not focus on them for a moment and look instead at the kinds of tensions we have. They're the same ones we've always had: tensions between the rich & powerful, and everyone else. Tensions between the culturally dominant group and cultural minorities. Tensions between traditionalists and people who question the value of tradition.

That's why I don't buy this 'both parties do it' argument. I'm not saying Democrats don't have flaws or don't have corruption - they do. But look at the districts Democratically-elected people come from. Look at their voters. There's more diversity there. And that's not to say that Republican voters are evil. It's just that when you peel back the layers, those are the tensions we're having. They haven't really ever gone away.

I reject what passes today for conservatism in America, because it's not a healthy type of conservatism. It's a scared conservatism. It's a conservatism that is afraid of losing power - so much so that they feel compelled to go to extremes to deny the other party of winning democratic elections.

I feel there's definitely a place for the conservatism that puts the brakes on liberal ideas, the conservatism that occasionally says "That's a nice idea, but how are you going to pay for that? Or how is that going to work - really?" We need that kind of conservatism. Every democratic society does. But those kinds of conservatives are confident and comfortable in their own skin.

Modern American conservatives are not. They perceive themselves as living in a jungle in which people are either predator or prey. It's no surprise why January 6th happened, and it wouldn't at all surprised me if it didn't happen again. In fact, I'd probably be surprised if it didn't.

 

[multivita-man]

Now that's science. They both feel the US will not be a democracy in the future and I wonder why. Both side believe the other is F--king up the nation with their policies. Of course lets look, inflation, gas prices soaring, illegal immigration out of control, illegal drugs crossing the boarder out of control, can't find baby food, interest rates soaring, supply chain a mess, giving billions to fight a war in Europe, begging our enemies for oil, restricted our oil production and ended energy independence, Lock downs, schools closed, education scores failing, telling little boys they are little girls. Taking away right of free speech by banning those who have opinions that don't agree with the left wing progressives on social media, . . All of which happened under the control of democrats in the House, Senate, White House.
Who's ruining the nation?

 

[multivita-man]

Like democrats freaking out because asian students perform better than their pet race

Nah, you're not racist or anything.

and and go on a binge of denying them access to universities and public schools?

Like you even give a shit.

 

[soylentgreen]

Whatever. They're both awful.



The market, of course. Private law is everywhere. The most prominent example is private arbitration firms which create their own law for firms to deal with each other, and their laws are written by people who understand the subject matter and have a strong incentive to get it right. For a more everyday example, consider the rules on this forum, which you voluntarily agree to abide by.

You mean a strong incentive to make a profit rather than give a crap about any negative effects form making profit.
It is not industries concern to run a country.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

America hasn't had a functional democratic government in a long time. I kinda feel like a Metallica fan here, about to get into a violent argument about which album is when my favorite band started sucking.

The Union hasn't been democratic since we lost the Civil War. I think we probably lost a lot earlier than that, but the North officially signed the surrender papers on November 13, 1963 and simply maintaining the pretense of democracy has been harder and harder ever since.

 

[Surrealistik]

Lycanthrope:

Not necessarily:

Remember that study saying America is an oligarchy? 3 rebuttals say it’s wrong.

Vox is a general interest news site for the 21st century. Its mission: to help everyone understand our complicated world, so that we can all help shape it. In text, video and audio, our reporters explain politics, policy, world affairs, technology, culture, science, the climate crisis, money...

www.vox.com

Cheers and be well represented?
Evilroddy.

If you read between the lines, you'll see that this is a disingenuous, glass half full rose tinted goggles misreading of the situation, and not at all a refutation of Gilens and Page's conclusions.

For example, Bashir after labouring tirelessly to massage his data such that it 'undermines' Gilen's conclusions, hilariously tries to argue the fact the fact that the rich wins a 'mere' 6% more than the middle class when their desires are in conflict somehow undermines the argument of oligarchy. This is obviously preposterous when we consider what % of the population is comprised of the rich and middle class (by Bashir's own definition the 'rich' compromises the top 10% of the population in terms of income). In otherwords, the power and influence of the rich is obviously and vastly disproportionate vis a vis their population, which indeed is evidence of emergent oligarchy.

Also he minimizes the marginalization of the poor.

 

[choiceone]

. . . . Like democrats freaking out because asian students perform better than their pet race and and go on a binge of denying them access to universities and public schools?

Why do you think it is Democrats who are freaking out and who do you think "their pet race" is?

 

[choiceone]

I think quite a lot of Americans have given up on democracy. Especially in today’s modern political era of polarization, the great divide and the super, mega, ultra-high partisanship. The party faithful of both parties are more loyal to their political party than America. Both are more interested in doing what is good for the party, not the country. I think a lot of folks are just plain tired of all the partisan BS, the propaganda, the lies each say about the other party.

I’d say most Americans want to see our two major parties work together, to compromise, to play that old political game of give and take. Not to automatically oppose anything and everything the other party proposes only because the other party proposed it. No thoughts given to the merits of the proposal.

I’d say we want our representatives to reflect the mood, wants, wishes of the people of their districts and senators of their states. To represent those who sent them to Washington. Not once they get to Washington becoming a slave to the party they belong to and cease listening to the folks back home.

I’d sum it up this way, for way too long we’ve been sending Republicans and Democrats to Washington who happen to be Americans instead of Americans who happen to be Republicans and Democrats. There’s no doubt in my mind that our elected officials could solve almost all our problems if they wanted to. But they don’t, those problems are far more important to them to use in firing up their base than to solve. Once solved, that problem isn’t there anymore to fire up their base.

Yes, a lot of us have given up on democracy as it is played in today’s modern political era. The blame can be laid at the leaders of both parties and their faithful who expect their members to follow the dictates of the party like mindless robots. If Democracy fails here in American, it will be a direct result of both major parties with their actions, their litmus tests, their hate for the other party, their party first attitude, their lies, propaganda, etc. It’s the two major parties that are destroying democracy. It won’t be long before they accomplish their goal.

There are issues that seriously divide the populations in the parties. Abortion is one. Guns are one. Climate change is one. It is almost impossible to speak of compromise.

Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey were SC abortion compromises between state interest and individual liberty interest. They have never had less than 51-52% popular support overall which has significantly climbed. By several surveys, between 58% and 68% don't want them overturned by the current SC now. Today's SC, hand-picked by the far right wing, doesn't care.

At last websurf, I saw about 90% agreement on polls for background checks and various other safeguards for gun ownership. Think the GOP can actually go for it in the Senate? They are way less friendly to the safeguards than the majority of members in the NRA.

The Democrats can control their far left flank but the Republicans, instead of controlling the far right, let it take over their party. How can we have a democratic republic with people who don't want democracy? The far right only wants its own way.