An October 25 CBS News/New York Times poll found that 69 percent of people believe that Republicans in Congress primarily favor the rich. Only 9 percent believe they favor the middle class and just 2 percent think they favor the poor. By contrast, just 28 percent of people believe that Democrats favor the rich, with 23 percent believing they favor the middle class and 17 percent saying they favor the poor.
An October 24 Gallup poll found that people would strongly prefer that presidents be elected by popular vote instead of the Electoral College.
In an October 21 commentary, former White House counsel John Dean was highly critical of Republican obstruction tactics in the Senate, calling them unprecedented and abusive.
An October 17 Gallup poll found that a majority of people now favor legalization of marijuana.
An October 14 YouGov poll found widespread public ignorance of basic constitutional rights.
On October 13, the Congressional Research Service published a report on the presidential nominating process.
An October 12 Gallup poll found that public approval of Congress has reached an all-time low.
An October 12 NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that Republicans are much more interested in a presidential candidate who agrees with them on the issues than one who can beat Barack Obama.
In an October 7 commentary, former White House counsel John Dean was highly critical of Republican efforts to disenfranchise voters and give big corporations unchecked power.
On September 27, the Congressional Research Service published a report on women in Congress since 1917.
I last posted items on this topic on October 11.
Bruce Bartlett is an American historian and columnist who focuses on the intersection between politics and economics. He blogs daily and writes a weekly column for The Fiscal Times. Bartlett has written for Forbes Magazine and Creators Syndicate, and his work is informed by many years in government, including as a senior policy analyst in the Reagan White House. He is the author of seven books including his new book: The Benefit and the Burden .
