AMERICANS REJECT OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM.  The system itself is under fire.  But would a third party provide the solution?  From Axios: 

Americans' views of the U.S. political system have reached new lows, according to a survey that reveals near-record distrust of the government, disgust with both political parties and general exhaustion over all the divisiveness.

Why it matters: The survey by Pew Research Center reflects the growing distaste with the nation's politics as congressional infighting threatens a government shutdown and the 2024 presidential race appears headed toward a Biden-Trump matchup most Americans don't want.

Four times as many Americans have unfavorable views of both parties today than they did in 2002 — an all-time high, with Republicans and Democrats equally unpopular, the survey found.

Trust in the government is near a 70-year low, with just 16% of the public saying they trust the federal government at least most of the time.

Two in three Americans say they always or often feel "exhausted" when they think about politics. The top two words they use to describe U.S. politics are "divisive" and "corrupt."

Zoom in: The problem could get worse as younger generations make up greater shares of the population. Younger people are far more likely to be critical of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

37% of 18- to 29-year-olds had unfavorable views of both parties, compared to just 16% of those 65 or older.

A growing number of younger voters are rejecting the two-party system and claiming to be independent, as Axios has reported.

Between the lines: A third-party solution is not so straightforward, however.

68% of Americans overall say they at least somewhat wish there were more parties to choose from, but they're not convinced that having more than two major parties would make it easier to solve the nation's problems.

Only about a quarter think so, while another quarter say more parties would make solutions more difficult.

COMMENT:  Read the whole thing.  This is a very well done survey, although the results are not shocking.  There is a general sense of the nation failing.  The last time we had this was in the late 1970s, when Jimmy Carter was in the White House, and the solution was Ronald Reagan, who was elected president in 1980.

Are there any Reagans today?  I don't think so.  What the nation needs is an individual who has exhibited greatness and is seen to be above politics – which is what the Republican Party had in 1952 when it nominated General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower as its presidential candidate.  "Ike" needed no introduction to the American people, and went on to serve two terms in the White House.  Name the Eisenhower of today.

September 19, 2023