Poll: Occupiers fare better than Wall St.

Occupy Wall Street demonstrators, including many nurses, protest in front of the Wells Fargo Bank headquarters in San Francisco, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. / AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

LOWELL, Mass. - An online poll released Sunday of Americans' views of groups in the news shows Occupy Wall Street conjuring more favorable impressions among the public than their wealthy corporate targets.

Among 1,005 adults surveyed, 35 percent had a favorable impression of the protest movement that began in New York City and gained support worldwide. Only 16 percent could say the same for Wall Street and large corporations.

Twenty-nine percent had a favorable impression of the Tea Party movement, and 21 percent of government in Washington.

Knowledge Networks conducted the survey, asking participants their impressions of the four groups.

The poll was conducted for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and the Boston Herald.

In terms of unpopularity, Wall Street/large corporations tied with Washington government, with 71 percent of those polled saying they had an unfavorable impression of them. The Tea Party movement got a 50 percent unfavorable response, and Occupy Wall Street protesters 40 percent.

20 arrested at Occupy Atlanta protest
NYC mayor becoming more critical of "Occupy"

52 Photos

Occupy in red states/blue states

About a quarter of respondents were unsure about the Occupy movement, and nearly as much (21 percent) had no opinion about the Tea Party. But there were far fewer without an opinion about Washington (8 percent) or corporations (12 percent).

The group surveyed was selected randomly, and the poll conducted online from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1. It had a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.

Mike Mokrzycki, who produced the poll for the UMass Lowell Center for Public Opinion, told the Boston Herald it is "possible" the results indicate a shift in sentiment away from the Occupy movement (the poll was conducted just days after violent clashes between Occupy protesters and riot police in Oakland). But Occupiers still rated more favorably in the poll than other groups tracked.

The poll does suggest the Occupy movement's message has found an accepting audience: 74 percent of those surveyed believe Americans who are not wealthy have too little influence on politics, while also saying Wall Street and large corporations (80 percent) and PACs (74 percent) have too much influence. Responses over the political influence of labor unions was divided - 39 percent said they have too much, 22 percent said they have too little, and 38 percent said they have about the right amount.

The poll also found that supporters of Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party have different views about the role of government. Two-third of those who back Occupy Wall Street said government should do more to solve problems; four out of five of those who back the Tea Party said government is doing too much.

Unexpectedly, while Occupy Wall Street supporters were more likely to hold moderate or liberal political views (compared to the predominantly conservative Tea Party backers), Occupy Wall Street sympathizers were somewhat more likely to call themselves conservative on social issues, such as gay marriage and abortion (27 percent), and on fiscal issues, such as taxes and spending (26 percent).

Last month, an Associated Press-GfK poll showed some 37 percent supported the Wall Street protesters. Fifty-eight percent said they were furious about America's politics, up from 49 percent in January.

[MekhongKurt]

Interesting poll results. One aspect in particular caught my attention:

The poll also found that supporters of Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party have different views about the role of government. Two-third of those who back Occupy Wall Street said government should do more to solve problems; four out of five of those who back the Tea Party said government is doing too much."

A read an OpEd piece the other day in which the writer said his take is that for the Tea Party, the enemy is on Pennsylvania avenue -- while the Occupy movement sees the enemy (obviously) on Wall Street. And that makes a lot of sense, considering that despite perceiving different enemies and having different, often opposing, ideas about possible solutions, they do share numerous points in common in terms of their complaints.

After all, the "Tea" in "Tea Party" is an acronym, according to some, for "Taxed Enough Already." That's the flip side of the Occupy movement's idea that the 1% aren't taxed enough, though the Occupy movement doesn't have a catchy word like "Tea" for that.

[irongate60]

Just how low is CBS going to go in its reporting of this? 3 weeks ago it was; Occupiers are more popular then you think, 70% approval. Two weeks ago it was; Occupiers are more popular the tea party. Now its Occupiers are more popular then Wall St. Next week it'll be; Occupiers are more popular then eating dog cr@p!

[noloyalisti]

Well dun, most people now who are paying attention see the awful graft and corruption foisted on America by the Top 1%. Wars, death, poverty, man made global climate change, unemployment and debt, all caused by the Top 1%.

Fortunately, the 99% crap bigger than America. The movement craps bigger than the bought off, corrupt political parties of the United States.

[14FREEK]

NHPD cops protest layoffs
16 officers laid off yesterday, more coming
Updated: Thursday, 17 Feb 2011, 7:29 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 17 Feb 2011, 11:14 AM EST
New Haven, Conn. (WTNH)

Mass Trenton police layoffs take effect as officers lay down boots outside headquarters
Published: Friday, September 16, 2011, 12:54 PM Updated: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 4:08 PM
By Alex Zdan/The Times


Cleveland police layoffs
WEWSTV
Youtube: Uploaded by WEWSTV on May 31, 2011
Cleveland police layoffs

Thursday, June 16, 2011 | 12:03 a.m.
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Miami-Dade Mayor Gimenez: Layoffs of police officers planned if talks fail
Layoff notices will go out to 90 sworn officers on Oct. 17 if the county and police union can't come to terms on a concessionary contract.
BY MARTHA BRANNIGAN AND DAVID OVALLE

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/05/2440771/miami-dade-mayor-gimenez-layoffs.html#ixzz1d0AN84DC



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Flint Police Layoffs Blamed for Area Murders; Says Detroit Mayor [VIDEO]. by: Tim Gray April 13, 2011. Flint Police Layoffs

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[wellsfargoloanfraudvictim]

Wells Fargo's public lies. Facts:

1. Wells Fargo committed loan origination fraud which is direct cause of 2008 housing crisis.

2. After Wells Fargo originated me a fraudulent mortgage loan, it concealed the quality of the mortgage loan and sold it to a pool of investors as mortgage-backed securities which currently managed by U.S. Bank.

3. After Wells Fargo made profits out of its fraudulent mortgage loan multiple time, it foreclosed on our home and falsified IRS tax form to write off its so-call 'loss' when it no longer owns the mortgage loan. wellsfargomortgagefraud dot com

Please join the fight to expose Wells Fargo public lies and deception and hold Wells Fargo accountable. TBTF Wells Fargo shall NEVER be 'Too Big To Jail'!

[MekhongKurt]

@wellsfargoloanfraudvictim, while I have no love of the big banks, you are strangely -- and suspiciously -- otterly silent about what YOU did, or did not do, concerning your mortgage. The other contributors to these responses have it right, if you weren't paying your mortgage. If you were, then you need to say so, with convincing evidence. Otherwise, as a judge would say, "The bank has no case to answer."

[doneinone]

If you are an Occupier or support this movement you need to take a vow to NEVER take a job and use your labor from one of the 1%. Stand by your convictions and make that vow.

If your car breaks down don not take it to a GOODYEAR or a

Jiffy Lube fix it your self or have your neighbor do it.
Stand by your convictions.

If your hungry don't eat at the local Applebees......make a home cooked meal......stand by your convictins.

Got money in a Bank take it out and put it in your mattress.....stand by your convictions.

Occupiers Lets see what your made of........How long can you live without the 1%

[Zann-Zel]

If you are part of the 1% that doesn't want to pay taxes - stand by your convictions. Never drive on our roads, send your kids to our school, when your house catches fire- put it out yourself....etc
Lets see what you're made of - how long could you do your own dirty work and survive on your own?

[daffy64]

by Zann-Zel November 7, 2011 12:05 PM EST
If you are part of the 1% that doesn't want to pay taxes - stand by your convictions. Never drive on our roads, send your kids to our school, when your house catches fire- put it out yourself....etc
Lets see what you're made of - how long could you do your own dirty work and survive on your own?
-

Excellent!

[lovethiscountry]

http://www.youtube.com/embed/VtVbUmcQSuk

This is what the Republicans and Tea Parties are concerned with and trying to change - - - if not already too late.

The rest of you obviously do not have vision beyond yesterday and are not concerned about the future of America as a free country. The hate and lies are not coming from the 'tea party'.

[jimmymmm]

I can't believe I just wasted 3 minutes watching that garbage. I guess I am now owed those three wasted minutes, right??? Should I look to the 1% to pay me back, or to Obama to make it "fair"?

[MekhongKurt]

@lovethiscountry, what irks me about those of you in the Tea Party, beyond your silly tri-cornered hats and other Revolutionary War garb, is you insist that you, and you alone, (1.) are the only "true Americans," and (2.) the rest of us DON'T love our country.

The first is an intellectual affront. The second is a moral one. How DARE you -- and I'm talking to you personally, considering your haughty, put-down-everyone-who-crosses-me moniker "lovethiscountry" -- claim such cr*p? Who appointed YOU God, Lord Arbtitrar, Master of the Universe?

It's people like you who make me sometimes regret my frequent defense of you in the Tea Party, who despite your silly-a$$ clothing and dark "Second Amendment solutions," I do defend on the grounds that the Tea Party has asked some legitimate questions, voiced some legitimate complaints -- and deserve answers and solutions. But answers and solutions that we ALL can live with. Not just you self-appointed, arrogant, prideful "Guardians of the American Dream."

You judgmental prick. Either offer reasonable discussion -- or ****.

(Don't accuse ME of being rude -- YOU started it.)

[mattrick78]

I think the OWC cabal fails to realize that there are people in the 99% who are just as greedy.

[MekhongKurt]

@mattrick78, WHAT "cabal"??? And of COURSE there are some greedy folks in the OWC -- just as there are in the Tea Party (remember "I've been taxed to much already -- but keep your filthy paws off MY entitlements!!!" -- but that doesn't mean that there are great majorities of sincere, genuine, honest people in OWC, and the Tea Party), even if they sometimes have simplistic ideas, as they occassionally do.

[jimmymmm]

Perhaps I'm more of a conservative than previously thought, as the "Down with Capitalism" signs I see from the Occupy movement greatly concern me. Last night I read the following article about Alfonso Cano, and his message seems to be eerily close to those Occupying this nation. Read it and tell me I'm wrong: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15604609

[mattrick78]

People who say "Down with Capitalism" don't really know what they are talking about unless they are planning on moving to Cuba.

[MekhongKurt]

@jimmymmm, that drew me up, too. However, after reading quotes from some protestors and watching ad hoc interviews of them, it became clear, as @mattrick78 notes, that they really often don't understand just what it is to which they're objecting. It's not "capitalism," per se, but "ungregulated, stacked-for-the-uber-wealthy capitalism" that has driven them over the edge. I think.

[tsigili]

The wealthy, on both sides of the aisle, have zero intention, of giving up control of this country, outside of the super rich zone.

There is no one in Washington, who is NOT wealthy, by most standards. they got there, partly BECAUSE they are wealthy, and their friends are wealthy, and because no one wants anyone in control who is NOT a member of the wealthiest percentage of the population.

They are elected by powerful wealthy contributors, who get outrageous benefits in return, and both parties are identical, in terms of crony capitalism, and favoritism, against the people.

In truth, no one in Washington, actually has ANY familiarity with the ordinary man, or the ordinary family, in this country. They don't even comprehend, why everyone isn't as rich as they are.

[thrwthadice]

Sad, but true. We desparately need campain finance reform.