Interesting NBC News piece: Post-Katrina Americans no longer trust Gov't.

[npincus]

While no surprise for us, the piece spoke about a fundamental shift in American society post-Katrina/Rita. Americans do not trust the government to protect them and do not have confidence in the competence of government to act in an emergency.

So, we at DU were on to the incompetence, etc. of the gang in the WH and their cronies, but this all is truly a revelation for millions in the mainstream. Now, my question is this:

How will this translate politically? What will this mean in 2006 (election)? Will people turn away from participating in elections? Will they be looking for alternatives?

In a bizarre way, these deadly disasters have caused a substantial number of Americans to "grow up" and lose their naivety.

[Birthmark]

1. The word "trust" is the obvious place to start.

[bluedawg12]

2. Isn't that what the radical right wants?

They want to weaken federal government in order to have everything out sourced to business.

[tanyev]

6. They may think they want it, but I'll bet even they would be

horrified at the results if they truly accomplish it.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. I agree...........

and that's what the * supporters are saying to me. They don't blame HIM, they simply say, "THAT's why no one should rely on government. That's what's wrong with this country. Everyone relies too much on government."

And I ask, "WTF are we paying taxes for then, if not for basics of security?!"

No reply, yet they don't shift their position.

[Booster]

13. I wish someone with great research skills would find out how many

Republicans, especially in Florida, screamed until they got money from the government for damage they received after their hurricane. Most Republicans I know wouldn't think twice about accepting money because they say "I pay taxes", like the rest of us don't. My Republican stepfather somehow just got my 86 yr old mother $500 a month in Social Security and she only worked 2 years in her entire life and that was when she owned a record shop. How he did this, I don't know, but I can guarantee it was shady, since he's a shady type of guy.

[bluedawg12]

9. It will finally be: the economy

hat are people talking about?
Friends?
Family?
Folks who work in stores?

The economy!

People are angry that we are building I-wreck when the money should go be going to build America.
People are angry about the cost of gasoline.

People are very worried about the cost of natural gas for home heating this winter.

People are angry about the rising cost of everything: food, local toll roads are doubling their fees this year, everything except cheap walmart clothing has gone up. I can buy a $3.49 tee- shirt but milk and bread is almost as expensive.

The message to win back American support and votes will at last be: an appeal to people's wallets.

Get the economy rolling- remember the Clinton years? No deficit.

People are scared and get the fact that the deficit is out of control.

[Xipe Totec]

3. I wish the would grow up, but noooo!

They're just pissed because the price of gas is going up, so now it affects them personally.

Now they get it. :eyes:

[cliss]

18. Don't be too hard on them, X.

Not everyone is as informed as a lot of us here at the DU. They were just misunderestimating things.

Just wait till this winter. If people are upset now, I think things will be 1,000 times worse because heating oil is supposed to go WAY up. Gas will too, I'm sure.

And THAT's why Bush is finished.

[stopbush]

4. What will it mean in '06? Well, the Rs will play the "they're all the same

card and couple that with the "so vote for the Party of Jesus" slogan. The Dems will use the "sure, we're all the same...but we're better" strategy that has served them so well since 2000...

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. So how the hell did we go from being a country that knew how

to pool its resources at the federal level in order to get things done, to suddenly becoming a county of feudal futility?

Oh, that's right. We're in the era of rugged individualism. Thank you Republican party, fer nuthin. Literally, nuthin.

[Mind_your_head]

8. It could go several different ways

Some that I can think of:

1) The message will be that Americans can't trust THIS current group of governmental leaders, and "clean the house" of these selfish b*stards that don't 'serve the people - ALL the people.

(I guess campaign contribution laws and such would need to be changed as well to prevent a new group of representatives from becoming corrupted and compromised in the same manner).

~OR~

2) The 'cabal' will use this 'mistrust of government' to push through the privatization of services to a 'for profit' private entity that governments normally provides to the population w/o the 'profit' motive in there. (i.e., Halliburton as the prime example).

I hope for #1, but.....

[sandnsea]

12. My hope is for #3

They finally recognize that it isn't THIS group of governmental leaders but that #2 is the goal of Republicanism, even Reagan Republicanism, and that the people choose option #3 and never vote for a Republican again.

[Mind_your_head]

16. I don't really care what my 'representative' wants to

call him/herself (Repub, Dem, Progressive, Green, Martian, et al) ....I just want someone who actually represents me/my family & friends/and the values of the 'good people' of America. I don't have that representation now - and many/most people feel the same way right now too!

Most of our Senators and Representatives have been 'necessarily corrupted' (they wouldn't have gotten where they are w/o the promises of 'favors' and 'I'll remember you'....and more! We have all supported this system, hoping that one day they'll remember us....well, we've been betrayed! We've given them the power and they ~ just ~ don't ~ need ~ us ~ any ~ more. Buh-bye.

I'm still sticking with my #1 - we REALLY need to "clean house (and Senate)" and then change the system as to not breed/foster the type of corruption and compromise that we are seeing now.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

10. Ya see??? We don't need to go to Iraq to create hundreds of

thousands more people who will hate us forever.... WE CAN DO A GREAT JOB OF IT RIGHT HERE!!!!! AND SO WE HAVE.

[sandnsea]

11. They still support John Roberts

That ought to answer your question right there. Their eyes are open, but how to extrapolate Katrina to Republicanism in general without losing them with "partisan politicizing". That's the trick and we shall see.

[texpatriot2004]

14. I don't trust this government to look after my life, liberty, property

nothing...I trust them with nothing.

[bluedawg12]

15. After the clustetrfvck that I saw in the US gulf

I will never rely on any advice from government on matters of personal safety.

I don't believe they give a rats ass about us individuals.

I think there are good individuals, brave people like the firemen that ran into the twin towers, or the rescue people who repelled down the choppers to rescue people off of roof tops, or the doctors and nurses who stayed in NOLA hospitals to care for their patients- I believe in American people and that in general they are good and very generous folk.

But after last months two hurricanes, well, let's just say the disappointment is deep.

[texpatriot2004]

19. I agree 100% n/t

[Clarkie1]

17. They are more likely to trust a 4-star general than the government.

And there in fact be a 4-star national security and emergency management expert endorsing Democratic candidates and 06', and possibly running in 08' who can be trusted, which is be quite fortuitous for Democrats.

Whether Democrats will take full advantage of their good fortune remains to be seen.

[Mind_your_head]

20. Kickety....kick

:kick: