Katie Couric's Notebook: Anger
It's one of the most memorable lines in Hollywood history. "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore."
Republican pollster Frank Luntz says that's exactly how 72 percent of Americans are feeling right now. In an interview for my web show, we talked about what might be motivating all that anger. Luntz says people are mad at Washington for not listening to them and mad at Wall Street for not respecting them.
We saw it firsthand during those town meetings as healthcare reform got caught in the crosshairs of all that loaded emotion.
Frustration and fear about debt, the economy, and excessive spending are legitimate feelings - and shouldn't be dismissed by elected officials. But if, as Frank Luntz believes, Americans want to be both heard and respected, we must continue to extend those same courtesies to others.
Multiple voices in a debate is democracy. Multiple voices shouting at once is cacophony.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
Republican pollster Frank Luntz says that's exactly how 72 percent of Americans are feeling right now. In an interview for my web show, we talked about what might be motivating all that anger. Luntz says people are mad at Washington for not listening to them and mad at Wall Street for not respecting them.
We saw it firsthand during those town meetings as healthcare reform got caught in the crosshairs of all that loaded emotion.
Frustration and fear about debt, the economy, and excessive spending are legitimate feelings - and shouldn't be dismissed by elected officials. But if, as Frank Luntz believes, Americans want to be both heard and respected, we must continue to extend those same courtesies to others.
Multiple voices in a debate is democracy. Multiple voices shouting at once is cacophony.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
