Three Weather Underground members were killed when bomb they built exploded in basement of townhouse in Greenwich Village, NYC, March 6, 1970. Getty // Bettmann
Q1. 1968 -1973 is often cited as one of the most contentious times in post-Civil War American history. In that period Martin Luther King was assassinated (followed by riots in 100 cities), RFK was assassinated, police clashed with protestors at the Democratic Convention in Chicago, four Kent State students were killed at an anti-war rally, and the Weather Underground claimed credit for more than 20 bombings, including at the Capitol and Pentagon.
In more recent times, since 2020 we have seen a mob invade the Capitol, a plot to kidnap Gov Whitmer, an intruder beat the husband of Nancy Pelosi, the murder of a healthcare CEO, Molotov cocktails thrown at the home of Gov Shapiro, the killing of MN state Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband, the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the killing of Israeli embassy staffers in DC, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Which do you think was a more contentious time in the US, 1968-1973 or 2020-2025?
In more recent times, since 2020 we have seen a mob invade the Capitol, a plot to kidnap Gov Whitmer, an intruder beat the husband of Nancy Pelosi, the murder of a healthcare CEO, Molotov cocktails thrown at the home of Gov Shapiro, the killing of MN state Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband, the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the killing of Israeli embassy staffers in DC, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Which do you think was a more contentious time in the US, 1968-1973 or 2020-2025?
(Image: Michigan Ave during Democratic Convention, Chicago, Aug 28, 1968. Getty // Bettmann)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
1968 - 1973
31%
38%
24%
28%
32%
32%
30%
31%
32%
31%
31%
2020 - 2025
56%
54%
57%
64%
49%
49%
45%
45%
61%
65%
56%
Not sure
10%
7%
14%
6%
12%
14%
11%
23%
6%
3%
10%
Neither were/are particularly contentious
2%
1%
4%
1%
3%
4%
10%
1%
1%
1%
2%
Don't care
1%
0%
1%
0%
4%
0%
3%
0%
1%
1%
Q2. Earlier this year, editorialist Peggy Noonan wrote the following:
• "The American political establishment in the 21st century failed, to an epic and shattering degree" with two unwon wars, the 2008 financial crisis, porous borders, and a "destructive culture in public and private institutions."
• Those failures caused Americans to lose all respect for political, academic, media, financial, and legal establishments.
• This led to the election of outsider Donald Trump as president, but he doesn't reestablish trust in establishments because he abandons too many norms that are necessary for trust to be restored.
• A period where there is no trust in establishments, such as the one we are in, is very dangerous.
Which of these views do you share? (check all that apply)
• "The American political establishment in the 21st century failed, to an epic and shattering degree" with two unwon wars, the 2008 financial crisis, porous borders, and a "destructive culture in public and private institutions."
• Those failures caused Americans to lose all respect for political, academic, media, financial, and legal establishments.
• This led to the election of outsider Donald Trump as president, but he doesn't reestablish trust in establishments because he abandons too many norms that are necessary for trust to be restored.
• A period where there is no trust in establishments, such as the one we are in, is very dangerous.
Which of these views do you share? (check all that apply)
(Image: Occupy Wall Street protests bank bailouts, Grand Army Plaza, NYC, June 2011 Getty // Jin Lee)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
US establishments failed in 21st cent
83%
84%
82%
84%
84%
82%
98%
83%
80%
77%
83%
Disagree
13%
14%
12%
15%
8%
12%
0%
13%
16%
15%
13%
Lost trust led to Trump's election
72%
81%
63%
65%
81%
75%
69%
77%
68%
72%
72%
Disagree
21%
17%
26%
28%
12%
16%
19%
15%
27%
22%
21%
Trump does not build trust in establishments
61%
54%
66%
22%
73%
94%
64%
63%
55%
64%
61%
Disagree
31%
37%
25%
63%
17%
3%
11%
28%
37%
33%
31%
Very dangerous when no trust in establishments
79%
76%
82%
64%
79%
92%
85%
79%
76%
79%
79%
Disagree
13%
19%
8%
24%
10%
3%
10%
17%
15%
8%
13%
Not sure
3%
2%
4%
2%
7%
3%
3%
5%
2%
3%
3%
Don't care
1%
2%
0%
1%
2%
0%
2%
0%
1%
0%
1%
Q3. Which potential outcomes, if any, from among the economic, political, and media ones below would do the most to restore your trust in our institutions? (please choose one from each group)
(Image: Ted Turner officially launches CNN, Atlanta, GA, June 1, 1980. Getty // Rick Diamond)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Poll Comments (72)
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