A Wall Street Journal-NORC poll released on Wednesday found fewer than half of those surveyed believe the nation’s economic system is functioning well.
The survey found that 49% of Americans believe capitalism is working either very well or somewhat well, down from 60% who held that view in a similar Wall Street Journal survey about a decade ago. At the same time, 51% said capitalism is not working well or is not working at all, up from 37% in 2015.
Only 35% of respondents said they are fairly or very confident that the United States offers people the opportunity to find good jobs and achieve the American dream.
The poll also found widespread concern over the influence of wealth and corporations in politics. About three-quarters of Americans said billionaires and large businesses wield too much power in Washington, while working people have too little influence.
Another 52% agreed that corporate power comes at the expense of workers and consumers and said the government should limit that influence and share control of some businesses. That’s dangerous. Government control of businesses can lead to an unholy license that leads to fascism.
Only 12% of Americans said democracy is working very well or extremely well, while just 16% said average citizens have considerable influence over politics.
More than half, 56%, said democracy is not working well or is not working at all, the highest level recorded in comparable Wall Street Journal polling dating to 2020.
The Nation Is In Decline?
More than two-thirds of respondents said the United States is in decline, while about 60% said the nation’s best days are behind it rather than ahead.
Fewer than 40% said they were very proud of American history, and only 35% described patriotism as very important to them personally, down from more than 60% in a 2019 Wall Street Journal-NBC News survey.
At the same time, democratic socialism (communism) is making headway. It’s a dangerous time. Some of the feelings stem from propaganda and poor education, but much of it is grounded in reality. Young people can’t buy homes, and still live with their parents. Jobs for students who have expensive college educations don’t exist. However, it is also true that what we have now is capitalism steeped in socialism, and crony capitalism.
