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Gallup Explains Trump: "A Staggering 75% Of Americans Believe In Widespread Government Corruption"

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Back in July, when the HuffPo was covering Donald Trump's campaign in its "Entertainment Section" (they are not laughing now), and when not a single political pundit thought Trump had any chance of winning the GOP primary (now most of them do), we said that "Donald Trump's Soaring Popularity "Is The Country's Collective Middle Finger To Washington."

Here is what we said:

Donald Trump’s ascendance as the early GOP front-runner is symbolic of a greater global trend: growing pushback against institutional political and economic power.

 

To many centrist politicians and mainstream political observers, Donald Trump is a boastful, insensitive egomaniac spouting populist rhetoric. Whether such a characterization is true is not worthy of debate, which may explain why the rantings of enraged career political pundits have no impact on Mr. Trump’s popularity among Republican voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and across America. It seems no amount of ink or air time spent tarring and feathering Trump’s reputation sticks; in fact it seems to help Teflon Don in the polls, where he leads a crowded field of career politicians.

 

Donald Trump is a threat not only to the nattering nabobs in the press corps and the Republican Party. His day in the sun may be symbolic of a broader dynamic: the declining power held by historically powerful institutions. Ask yourself if Trump’s campaign is making a mockery of the political process or exposing the mockery that the political process has become. A not-insignificant percentage of Americans away from the coasts, are looking past his utter lack of decorum and political savvy to hitch their wagons to his outrage.

Six months later, virtually everyone recognizes and admits that this is the case: a vote for Trump is not "a vote for Trump", it is a vote against the broken, corrupt, crony-capitalist model.

Which explains why increasingly more are terrified he just may win.

But what explains America's revulsion with the existing system? The answer comes from the latest Gallup article: "Explaining Trump: Widespread Government Corruption" in which it finds that once the silent majority of the population can identify the object of their distrust and anger - in this case Congress and the political status quo - and once they can subsequently identify an object that represents its opposite, the latter object's distance to the Oval Office becomes considerably shorter.

From Gallup:

Explaining Trump: Widespread Government Corruption

It's been fashionable to make jokes about Congress' historically low approval ratings, unbelievable incompetence in the government and now, unfortunately, the perception of widespread government corruption. Pundits and talk-radio hosts have a field day with this. So do late-night comics.

It's not funny anymore.

A staggering 75% of the American public believe corruption is "widespread" in the U.S. government. Not incompetence, but corruption. This alarming figure has held steady since 2010, up from 66% in 2009.

This sense of corruption probably contributes to much of the extreme anxiety and unrest we see today - including protests, lower voter turnout and increased interest in guns.

Guns -- a symbol of freedom from government tyranny to many people -- are now a key voting issue. A quarter of U.S. voters say the presidential candidate they vote for must share their view on guns.

Protests are growing in cities and campuses all around the country. Students and citizens generally have lost faith in their national institutions -- the biggest and most powerful of which is, of course, the federal government.

The last presidential election had an estimated 5 million fewer voters than turned out in 2008, and the 2014 midterm elections saw the lowest turnout in 72 years (36.3%). At alarming levels, citizens -- when invited to participate directly in their own democracy -- are taking a pass and staying home. Or taking their frustrations to the streets.

The perception that there's widespread corruption in the national government could be a symptom of citizen disengagement and anger. Or it could be a cause -- we don't know. But it's very possible this is a big, dark cloud that hangs over this country's progress. And it might be fueling the rise of an unlikely, non-traditional leading Republican candidate for the presidency, Donald Trump.

To make matters worse, that dark cloud appears to be hanging over the growth of small business, which is where virtually all new GDP growth and good jobs originate. Simply put, startups and shootups (small businesses that grow larger) have been in a death spiral. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the total number of business startups and business closures per year crossed for the first time in 2008.

And the economy isn't growing nearly fast enough -- it's been running at an average rate of 2% since the 2008 financial collapse and the Great Recession. Just to compare, following the recession of 1981-1982, GDP grew for six years at 4.5% -- one of our greatest economic eras in history.

Jobs haven't come back. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of the total adult population that has a full-time job has been hovering around 48% since 2010 -- the lowest full-time employment level since 1983. This is why the middle class has been dangerously shrinking.

You don't have to connect too many dots to conclude that if a government has an alarmingly high appearance of widespread corruption -- and that same government creates regulations that businesses cite as a leading barrier to growth -- then entrepreneurs might be reluctant to stick their necks out to start a business. Or to boom the businesses they already have.

Why would they start or boom a business if they think a corrupt government is creating rules and regulations that don't serve their interests -- but rather rules that serve the interests of corrupt officials, corrupt politicians, corrupt insiders and corrupt special interest groups?

Any wonder why so many Americans want a candidate who's outside of that system?

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Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:48 | 7008043 besnook
besnook's picture

you clearly don't understand business. trump's businesses depend upon local wwealth. local wealth is being destroyed by outsourced labor which benefits the global corps. trump his busnesses need money in the usa to thrive. that is why he will bring jobs back to the usa.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:03 | 7008137 Sanity Bear
Sanity Bear's picture

How much do you know about Trump's businesses?

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:28 | 7007923 lincolnsteffens
lincolnsteffens's picture

Excuse me but Hillary and Bernie address the issues that their supporters have been trained to feel warm and fuzzy about.

What do you really think will happen to Trump if he truly tries to buck the NWO planners, the security State, the Mega International Corps. and the Big banks.

Stop supporting the corporations that are trying to control every aspect of your lives. I don't just mean voting or protesting (begging) but put yourselves out a bit and withdraw from their profit system. If you do not you are paying for you own shackles.

Turn off your TVs, your portable spy equipment, use cash ( that is another fraud ) avoid credit cards and debit cards, don't do on line banking, don't buy newspapers, avoid chemical and artificially produced food products. Learn how to assert and defend your Bill of Rights.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:02 | 7007785 11b40
11b40's picture

Big difference between working the system and being a part of it.  I drive my car, but it is not part of me, and I am not part of it.  I use it to my advantage when I want to.

Now, if you want an example of being part of the system, Hillary is your girl....or maybe Jeb! your guy.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:13 | 7007840 Sanity Bear
Sanity Bear's picture

There's only one serious candidate for President who is not part of the system, and his name is Rand Paul.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:40 | 7007996 lincolnsteffens
lincolnsteffens's picture

He is probably better than the rest of the bunch but though willing to speak out he knows he cannot reveal the obscure system that controls the people and the gov.

This country is under an armed corporate dictatorship that uses mind control to delude the population. We do not have representatives in Congress that represent the People. We have legislators making rules for the corporation.

Thu, 01/07/2016 - 00:22 | 7009127 Demdere
Demdere's picture

And the drug smuggling done by the CIA and military, and ... the Israeli-Neocons running major parts of the government.

Not just corporations working against Americans, but Israeli-Neocons corrupting everything.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:33 | 7007950 Buckaroo Banzai
Buckaroo Banzai's picture

Nobody "outside the system" is getting elected to any position beyond city dog catcher. So quit dreaming.

That said, here's what's to like about Trump:

(1) Not a lawyer.

(2) Repeat: NOT A LAWYER.

(3) Not a career politician. Last two Presidents who could say this were Reagan and Eisenhower-- probably the best two Presidents of the 20th century.

(4) Is beholden to NO ONE financially.

(5) built a giant business largely on his own.

(6) Real estate development business taught him how to use and manipulate politicians.

(7) has hands-on media business experience, so he knows how to manipulate them, too.

(8) 40+ years of negotiating and deal making experience, in the private sector where you are held accountable for your results.

frankly, this is the most qualified man running for President in 200 years.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:36 | 7007972 GhostOfDiogenes
GhostOfDiogenes's picture

Lies.

All your points are lies, piling up.

Its amazing how many of you long timers are such lying liars.

You upvote each other and downrate anyone telling the truth.

A coup of liars.

On zerohedge.

Fucking pathetic.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:42 | 7008009 hongdo
hongdo's picture

Fact filled cogent persuasive arguments.  LOL

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:36 | 7008331 you know they a...
you know they are lying because they are talking's picture

I enjoy Trump being in this presidential race. Its very entertaining. I would never vote for him however. I still downvoted you, because you are usually wrong and you are annoying.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:53 | 7008082 besnook
besnook's picture

reagan became a career politician. he unleashed the banksters on us and began the outsourcing economics of destruction.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:04 | 7008139 Buckaroo Banzai
Buckaroo Banzai's picture

Reagan's career was in the media and entertainment business. I suppose you could say he had a second career in politics.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:58 | 7008111 lincolnsteffens
lincolnsteffens's picture

Beg to differ with you on Ronnie Ray-Gun who came out with missles are peacekeepers. He also was in charge during the Savings and Loan debacle and certified that Pakistan had no nuclear ambitions and even if they did could never use our planes etc. to mount nuclear weapons on so they could receive military equipment from us. He also may not have started his working career in politics but he was head of the Scree Actor's Union ( if memory serves me ) and was gov. of Calif.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:13 | 7008198 GhostOfDiogenes
GhostOfDiogenes's picture

Haha!

Carlin again.

http://youtu.be/dlJmBGA1vhk

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:03 | 7008135 My Days Are Get...
My Days Are Getting Fewer's picture

Endorsement approved.

I am a lawyer and made 3 deals with Trump and dealt with his building managers for 20 years.  

Trump's employees worship him.  So do the people who occupy his condo buildings. Trumps builds loyality.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:09 | 7008179 GhostOfDiogenes
GhostOfDiogenes's picture

"I am a lawyer"

More scum of the earth.

Supporting their fellow scumbags.

http://youtu.be/G59mNNfLZx8

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 22:20 | 7008597 Ness.
Ness.'s picture

can you post more links to youtube videos please?  i have a difficult time finding what exactly you what me to watch.  thx in obeisance.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:08 | 7008171 MASTER OF UNIVERSE
MASTER OF UNIVERSE's picture

Went bankrupt 4 times so he would know what to do if ever elected to run USA Corporation into the dirt too, eh, BuckO.

Thu, 01/07/2016 - 00:24 | 7009133 Demdere
Demdere's picture

SO it is purely his amazing ability to manipulate the media that have his campaign ads run 60 times for free by the various news programs in Iowa and NH?

I thought it was his "1000s of Dancing Muslims because of 9/11" comment, which was a coverup for the actual Dancing Mossad Agents.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 19:49 | 7007736 I AM SULLY
I AM SULLY's picture

Believing that "Trump" (the ultimate crony capitalist) is going to fix the system?

(that's called delusion)

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:00 | 7007780 knukles
knukles's picture

So fucking what?  He may be bombastic and a narcissist, but he's not an alcoholic, bombastic narcissistic felon with brain damage.
ABH  Anybody but Hillary.  Including either of my Schnauzers.  Or my dead Uncle Ernie. 
Hillary is Crazy.  I mean certifiably crazy.
                                  OK. let's compromise.  We all go with Jeb! and sleep for 8 years.
                                                  God this is painful talking about
                                                          Makes my nuts shrivel

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:03 | 7007790 GhostOfDiogenes
GhostOfDiogenes's picture

Well he hasn't been "convicted" of a felony, you mean.

You state worshippers always show your true colors.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:26 | 7008282 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

Get a job and go back to Yahoo.

 

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:14 | 7007843 Sanity Bear
Sanity Bear's picture

How well has voting for the lesser evil done so far in your lifetime?

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:39 | 7007985 knukles
knukles's picture

I get a fucking sticker to put on my forehead and thus the responsibility to ask random strangers at the grocery store for whom they voted, and shout at them for no rational reason. 
Anything works as well as we want it to.  All a matter of expectations. 
No vote, no sticker.  Every prepper knows that one day they'll come knocking at your door asking for your sticker and toenail collection.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:42 | 7007943 MASTER OF UNIVERSE
MASTER OF UNIVERSE's picture

Jeb fixed the election so that brother Dubya could fuckya out of your US Constitutional rights, disposable income, and any semblance of a 'future'. He gave carte blanche to Wall Street bank bailins, TARP bankster bailouts, and an official demise of Narco Ponzi Casino Crony Capitalism.

 

Jeb was also in charge of WTC #1, #2, AND Building #7 security so the 3000 American citizens would be GENOCIDED in 11 seconds just for mo money from the Gubbermint.

 

I doubt anyone would be able to sleep if Jeb 'the sociopath' was voted in to decrease MOAR Constitutional rights.

 

FUCK Jeb 'the sociopath' Bush, and the BUS he rolled in on.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:32 | 7008311 besnook
besnook's picture

there was another bush in charge of security at the towers. jeb did the largest medicare fraud in history.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 22:40 | 7008734 benb
benb's picture

Marvin Bush's company had the security contract at the WTC till the day before. Obama ran the attack from a cave in Afghanistan with his Toshiba laptop. His laptop was so powerful it was able to make the entire NORAD apparatus stand down for over three hours and defeat the most heavily defended airspace in history... it was a magic laptop... I think he got it at a Best Buy in Islamabad.

Thu, 01/07/2016 - 00:01 | 7009047 MASTER OF UNIVERSE
MASTER OF UNIVERSE's picture

Oh yeah, Marvin, I forgot due to too much marijuana bong smoke clogging up my short term memory store, and long term memory storage over time. They should sell brain cleaners to us old potheads so we can remember things like that. How many in the Bush clan are potential candidates for top billing in Purgatory these days?

 

Prescott

George 'the CIA Jonestown Kid'

George 'The torturer NeoCon'

Jeb        ' the Loser Sociopath'

Marvin  ' GenocideBoy WTC #1,#2, & Building #7'

who's next?

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 19:50 | 7007739 My Days Are Get...
My Days Are Getting Fewer's picture

AMEN

Agreed

Send this missive to everyone you know

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 19:51 | 7007741 williambanzai7
williambanzai7's picture

Humma, bring me a pad and pencil and get down on all fours!

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:31 | 7007946 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 Nice to see ya back Billy!

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 22:31 | 7008682 STP
STP's picture

More like,

"Huma, bring me a paddle and a dildo and get on all fours!"

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 19:55 | 7007756 Victory_Garden
Victory_Garden's picture

It's all just pathetic.

A real shit show.

Corruption kills.

It is evil to be criminally, corrupt.

It is not about left, or right.

It is ONLY about Right, and wrong.

8...9...10!

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 19:58 | 7007774 MASTER OF UNIVERSE
MASTER OF UNIVERSE's picture

D. Jerkoff Trump eats roast kittens for lunch every week.

 

And he has worms too.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:01 | 7007783 Riprake
Riprake's picture

A Staggering 25% Of Americans Don't Believe In Widespread Government Corruption.

 

There; I fixed it for you.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:14 | 7007847 RopeADope
RopeADope's picture

That same 25% also believes Hillary Clinton is a woman.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:42 | 7008012 knukles
knukles's picture

Betcha she knows where the MotherShip is parked.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:23 | 7007904 SillySalesmanQu...
SillySalesmanQuestion's picture

That 25% don't care, don't read, more than likely don't work, won't work, on the dole, on disability, on workmans comp, work for a Goverment agency, live in mom and dads basement, play video games, Facebook, text, get drunk, get high, do drugs, tuned in and dropped out, are criminals, deadbeat moms and dads,have never voted, or, can tell you what any of the bill of rights are...
There. That should account for 25%.

S/

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:10 | 7007824 paint it red ca...
paint it red call it hell's picture

All I can say to the Gallup piece is, "Well Duhhh!"

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:16 | 7007856 hongdo
hongdo's picture

Corrupt?  Ya think?  And lazy.  The fish does rot from the head down.  This country has not had leadership for decades.  Like Hillary said: "The first famiy has great priviledge."  Should be:  "The first family has great responsibility."  Sums up their thinking - responsibility and accountability never cross their mind. 

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:04 | 7008142 lincolnsteffens
lincolnsteffens's picture

When Government is corrupt it leads by example. Justice Brandeis said something like that.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:20 | 7007877 Barnaby
Barnaby's picture

... as compared to a staggering 99% of non-retarded Americans who believe Chump is a corrupt douche.

BTW I'm all for a Chump presidency. It'll be lulz aplenty watching what's left of the US swirling down the bowl.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:20 | 7007881 RaceToTheBottom
RaceToTheBottom's picture

How can you not believe in Government Corruption?

The Lobbyist system is a formal buy your own government system.

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:46 | 7007883 Duc888
Duc888's picture

 

 

anthropological

[an-thruh-pol-uh-jee]

noun

1.
the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind. _______________________________________________________________________________ Regardless of it's original intent it appears that US Government corp. has become parasitic to those who produce.    It appears that is is no longer the guaranteer of Freedom(s) but has regressed into the role of restricting Freedom(s).    When US Corp. passes another 5000 statutes in 2016 will the shitizens be "more free"? I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:26 | 7007911 Nanur
Nanur's picture

Believing a billionaire will change a system that benefits billionaires almost exclusively is like expecting the guy with the golden goose to kill the goose because it's unfair that he has the golden goose.  Good luck with that, suckers

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:43 | 7008016 besnook
besnook's picture

so expecting zionazi blood extractors in the form of rubio and the canadian cruz or the psychopathic criminal bitch hillary and the socialist commie israel firster bernie are better alternatives right?

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 21:04 | 7008141 GhostOfDiogenes
GhostOfDiogenes's picture

Blah blah blah blah trump blah blah blah blah

http://youtu.be/G59mNNfLZx8

Blah blah blah trump has pedophile jews run his campaign

Blah blah blah blah blah

Trumps kids are married to jews

Blah
Blah blah

Wed, 01/06/2016 - 20:30 | 7007937 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

 It's well known, Donald Trump doesn't drink, or take drugs.

  Unlike some other " third world" rulers and their off~spring?

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