Rasmussen Reports: 85% Of Americans With Populist Views Are Angry At The Federal Government And The Number Continues To Rise

Interestingly, I saw an interview with the Blackrock CEO just about the time this poll came out. His major concern? Rising populism. Now, in a democratic country which has a rule of law, why are we concerned about economic populism? We aren't. Elitist crooks are. Populism defines the will of the people. And this populism is driven by virtue across all race and gender.

If we truly believe in democracy, in other words that people of all walks of life and abilities are able to self-govern, to rule our society by electing people from amongst us to manage our affairs, we should be embracing populism, not to be confused with the will of the mob. Populism defines America's greatness and always has. Populism is a repudiation of authority by birth right, by economic standing and cronyism. Populism embraces free will and free determination. Populism embraces economic opportunity for the many not determined by the few. Populism embraces entrepreneurs at the expense of monied interests. Today that populism is being driven by a search for truth, a return to self-rule, cleaning up corruption and economic populism. Concern that Washington is run amok. Realization that a very few are setting our economic policy for their personal gain and stealing our economic opportunity and livelihood.

On the surface we see both political parties misinterpreting November's election results. The Republicans believe they are again gaining an upper hand with their message. The Democrats believe election results were poor because President Obama was not on the ballot. The reality is neither case. The reality is Americans are now thinking for themselves and they now understand Washington is a den of vipers and neither party represents the people.

Most people in Washington live in a bubble and have little concept of reality. Washington continues its games of corruption and power while we witness the largest social and political shift in our lifetimes. Political independents now comprise the greatest percentage of Americans in modern history. Maybe ever. And that is a very, very good thing. That's a good thing because Americans are giving up political ideology and embracing truth. Good news for America. Bad news for elitist politicians who believe they can continue to bamboozle Americans with rhetoric while doing little if anything to further the will of the people.

There are quite a few polls showing independents substantially outnumber either of the two political parties. The Washington Post's recent poll shows the Republicans are in la-la land with 20% of respondents, Democrats not much better with 33% and Independents now the clearly dominant political force at 42% of respondents. 42% and rising. I suspect that number has risen by more than a few points since that poll. Combine this with the very, very substantial drop in the President's approval rating with independents (who were single-handedly responsible for President Obama's victory in November.) and there is absolutely no chance President Obama would win were a re-election to take place today. The President gives himself a B+ rating? Do the President's political advisors realize his most important constituents are not ideologues or part of the political class but instead are populists? Populists demanding reform in Washington and economic transformation. As obvious as this might be, I seriously doubt it. At the exact time the American people are shifting their economic and political views in record numbers, political ideologues are experiencing a never before seen nirvana with 45,000 lobbyists lining their pockets. And skewing their view of reality. Political parties have never had so much power in American history. Ever. Washington is in an unprecedented bubble. That bubble is going to pop.

This all confirms a couple of points we have been writing about over the last few years. One, we have a tremendous leadership vacuum in this country. And regardless of attempts by the main stream media to paint most Americans as stupid or uneducated, the vast majority of people realize this dynamic on some level be it a conscious verbalization or simply through a realization Washington is corrupt. And, two, the United States is on the verge of a major populist movement which could obliterate political parties or force them to adopt radical, tranformational new ideals to survive. Ideals of economic populism, of transparency, of a return to virtuous governance. Regardless, people need to worry less about economic statistics and more about sociology. The economy is not coming back without transformation. It's not ivory-towered academics with their ridiculous theories that will drive the future of the American economy. It is going to be the American people. And that means Wall Street and corporate influence which now dominates American politics is going to take a massive tumble. Were President Obama and his handlers to realize they were elected by a populist wave, their policies would likely be very, very different. The President is squandering the greatest opportunity for to become a transformational figure in Washington in seventy years.

Notice below that the only real statistical significant change in consumer confidence took place as financial markets started to rally in March. In other words, people saw improvement in their 401K statements or investments and concluded happy times were here again. This was affirmed by financial media hoopla, government statements and Wall Street bankster bullishness. Both before and after the start of this current rally the polling responses vary insignificantly. If the American people generally believe the recovery of financial markets is a sign of economic recovery, this leaves politicians very exposed if financial markets collapse again before the 2010 elections. As I wrote a month or so after this rally started, I expect the next major low to be in 2010. If that happens, it will be bad news for incumbent politicians.

The President has an opportunity to use this populist movement to transform American politics and the American economy. Or, he'll eventually be mowed over by some deft politician and leader who will. This data supports our thesis that the U.S. will lead the world out of this morass. In other words, a populist economic transformation will drive a resurgence of American economic might. It's not a matter of if but when. America is far from dead. But in order for it to assert its rightful economic standing, the rightful owners of this country, its people must save us from the political stooges and lobbyists who destroyed it.

85% of populists are angry at the federal government. The elitist liberal media fawning all over our new President initially blamed dissent on right wing nut jobs, Ted Kaczynski-types who feel marginalized by society and racists. Ditto with Homeland Security in their report on dissent which labeled many upstanding Americans as terrorist threats to our government. Preposterous and degrading to the vast majority of Americans who are none of the above. They are Americans. They seek a return to a self-determined life. They seek economic freedom. They seek justice and a government which represents the will of the people be that a conservative or a progressive will. Not the neoliberalism and liberalism which defines the Republican and Democratic agendas. Agendas driven by political stooges seeking to maintain their grip on power and monied interests. The polling data confirms this is not a right versus left divide. It is a right versus wrong divide.

Still the same forecast. 2010 elections - bad news for incumbents - keepers of the status quo. Good news for any candidate embracing economic populism and a progressive view of society.

Chart courtesy of Pollster.com