Almost every week provides more evidence of the political system bending toward the cultural preferences of the massive millennial generation. But evidence is accumulating just as quickly of the system’s failure to respond to its economic needs. CONT. Ron Brownstein, National Journal Read more »
How Republicans turned against unemployment insurance
Just six Republicans senators joined a united Democratic caucus Tuesday to move forward with an extension of long-term unemployment benefits. The policy’s newfound controversy after years of easy passage parallels a sea change in Republican attitudes nationally on the issue. CONT. Scott Clement, Washington Post Read more »
How ‘polarized’ is the American electorate?
The American people are “polarized.” That idea is repeated so often as an explanation for why Washington seems mired in dysfunction and gridlock that no one even stops to question it anymore. Yes, the system is polarized, in the sense that we have divided government on the federal level, or, […] Read more »
Americans lack faith that government can or will solve the nation’s top problems
Americans enter 2014 with a profoundly negative view of their government, expressing little hope that elected officials can or will solve the nation’s biggest problems, a new poll finds. Half say America’s system of democracy needs either “a lot of changes” or a complete overhaul, according to the poll conducted […] Read more »
As 2014 brings new state laws, a look at public opinion on the issues
Every new year means adding thousands of new state laws to the books. This year’s wide range includes everything from tanning bed age limits (Illinois), to a new ban on selling shark fins (Delaware). While most new laws represent incremental change, sometimes state laws can also signal broader movement on […] Read more »
Gallup: A review of the year’s major findings, from politics to well-being
Gallup.com chronicled Americans’ responses to the major issues and events that will define 2013 in the annals of history, from Edward Snowden’s revelations about U.S. government spying to the federal government shutdown, to the possibility of war with Syria. Gallup’s editors and writers explored what was perhaps the biggest development […] Read more »