Washington is oblivious as well as Useless

By Monty Pelerin

The public is in an ugly mood regarding politics. For the country, this anger may represent a turning point. For politicians in Washington, it is just business as usual. Can they be this tone deaf? Does their arrogance prevent them from recognizing what is happening?

According to Rasmussen:

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of likely voters believe, generally speaking, that it would be better for the country if most incumbents in Congress were defeated this November.

Despite these signals, Washington is unable or unwilling to change direction. Proposed and enacted policies have been rejected by the public. Yet, Washington's only response is to increase the dosage of what the public has already rejected.

What Washington appears unable to comprehend is the fact that they have lost their magic and credibility. The public sees the empire for what it is, little more than a facade. The public has rejected the myth of government as savior and replaced it with the view once expressed by Reagan -- government is the problem, not the solution.

Arrogant continuation of policies not wanted by the public only reinforces the view expressed in Rasmussen's book, In Search of Self-Governance where he describes the view of the American public as follows:

... the political system is broken, that most politicians are corrupt, and that neither major political party has the answers...

The insanity of Washington politics can best be viewed in terms of recent events. Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia should have left no doubt about the anger of the public. These results occurred despite some very favorable conditions. There was a sizable recovery in the stock market. A massive marketing campaign designed to convince the public that the recession was over was accompanied by a couple of favorable (though questionable) GDP quarterly reports. Despite all this, Rasmussen indicates that the public mood is back to its lowest point:

Part of the frustration is likely due to the belief of 60% of voters that neither Republican political leaders nor Democratic political leaders have a good understanding of what is needed today. That finding is identical to the view last September, just after the tumultuous congressional town hall meetings the month before. But only 52% felt this way in November.

My guess is that Rasmussen's current numbers will appear favorable compared to what will be reported in the near future.

The public typically is unable to deal with the complexities associated with economic analysis. But they can recognize what is happening to them and their neighbors. A second dip in the economy, which appears inevitable, will likely ratchet unemployment even higher and cause a major sell-off in the stock markets. Should that happen, poll numbers will then deteriorate dramatically. Even current supporters of the political class will then understand the realities of their own or their neighbor's unemployment. Renewed shrinkage in 401Ks and financial conditions will underscore the severity of the situation.

For many, these outcomes are expected which explains their current anger. If they do occur, polling numbers will fall to areas not seen in the modern era. Public unrest then could be expressed in ways other than polling or voting results.