A new CNN poll reveals how people mad at both parties see the midterms

[Nobody911]

US powerful lobbying systems always exist. It doesn't matter who is in power; lobbying has been threatening democracy. Don't be surprised if more Americans prefer communism! lol.

How Lobbying Influences Both US Parties

Money creates access: Lobbyists spend billions annually to gain direct access to lawmakers. Both parties accept donations and lobbying from the same major industries—defense, pharma, finance, energy—ensuring influence regardless of who's in power.

Shared interests across parties: On issues like military spending or corporate tax policy, both parties often align because they receive lobbying pressure from the same industries. A defense contractor donates to both Democrats and Republicans.

Structural disadvantage for ordinary citizens: Organized interests with resources can hire professional advocates and fund campaigns. Individual Americans without organized backing have far less direct influence on policy decisions.

Both parties benefit: Neither party has an incentive to drastically limit lobbying since both rely on it for funding. This creates a system where elected officials are responsive to donors and lobbyists alongside—and sometimes ahead of—their constituents.

The result: Major policy decisions often reflect what organized money wants, not necessarily what most Americans want. The Iran war example fits this pattern.

This doesn't mean lobbyists control everything, but they have disproportionate influence compared to ordinary voters.

 

[Missouri_Mike]

People are angry at both parties, so their solution is to keep choosing one of the two and wonder why nothing changes. Makes sense to me. America in a nutshell.

Americans’ views of both the Democratic and Republican parties remain deeply negative, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. And in an election year that may turn on which party voters see as the lesser of two evils, the Democrats hold an early advantage.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/03/politics/cnn-poll-double-haters-democrats-midterms

You ever notice in the media whatever is bad news for democrats gets phrased as both parties?

 

[task0778]

People are angry at both parties, so their solution is to keep choosing one of the two and wonder why nothing changes

Right now, there's no realistic 3rd option. Don't vote? That changes nothing. Vote for another party that has no chance of winning? That changes nothing either. Is there another viable solution? Not yet. Hopefully one day, before everything goes down the drain.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

There is no third option. Either way we are screwed. We need a third, viable solution.

 

[frigidweirdo]

People are angry at both parties, so their solution is to keep choosing one of the two and wonder why nothing changes. Makes sense to me. America in a nutshell.

Americans’ views of both the Democratic and Republican parties remain deeply negative, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. And in an election year that may turn on which party voters see as the lesser of two evils, the Democrats hold an early advantage.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/03/politics/cnn-poll-double-haters-democrats-midterms

But the system doesn't give people any alternative. Unless the people really stand up for themselves.

Isn't it about time the US got democracy?

 

[frigidweirdo]

There is no third option. Either way we are screwed. We need a third, viable solution.

Proportional Representation would give a third, fourth, fifth, sixth and maybe more viable solutions.

Instead of the Rep/Dem dictatorship.

 

[JLW]

US powerful lobbying systems always exist. It doesn't matter who is in power; lobbying has been threatening democracy. Don't be surprised if more Americans prefer communism! lol.

How Lobbying Influences Both US Parties

Money creates access: Lobbyists spend billions annually to gain direct access to lawmakers. Both parties accept donations and lobbying from the same major industries—defense, pharma, finance, energy—ensuring influence regardless of who's in power.

Shared interests across parties: On issues like military spending or corporate tax policy, both parties often align because they receive lobbying pressure from the same industries. A defense contractor donates to both Democrats and Republicans.

Structural disadvantage for ordinary citizens: Organized interests with resources can hire professional advocates and fund campaigns. Individual Americans without organized backing have far less direct influence on policy decisions.

Both parties benefit: Neither party has an incentive to drastically limit lobbying since both rely on it for funding. This creates a system where elected officials are responsive to donors and lobbyists alongside—and sometimes ahead of—their constituents.

The result: Major policy decisions often reflect what organized money wants, not necessarily what most Americans want. The Iran war example fits this pattern.

This doesn't mean lobbyists control everything, but they have disproportionate influence compared to ordinary voters.

That is true and I would add too much dark money in politics and gerrymandering. The system is corrupt and needs a major overhaul. The problem is getting all sides to agree. When vested interests see their power and influence threatened out come their checkbooks. The American people will have to learn to see through their BS.

The Romans were masters of divide and conquer. Problem is when you are a nation in decline and your entire system is based on sowing division, good luck getting the people to act in unison for the sake of the nation. The Romans learned that lesson to their detriment.

 

[JanetTheGreat]

Proportional Representation would give a third, fourth, fifth, sixth and maybe more viable solutions.

Instead of the Rep/Dem dictatorship.

Republicans are war mongering psychopaths, while Democrats are cultists who want to raise our taxes to spend on gender ideology BS.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

But the system doesn't give people any alternative. Unless the people really stand up for themselves.

Isn't it about time the US got democracy?

Almost every election I vote in there are more than two people on the ballot per office. Nothing is stopping anybody from voting for those other people. I do it all the time.

 

[frigidweirdo]

Almost every election I vote in there are more than two people on the ballot per office. Nothing is stopping anybody from voting for those other people. I do it all the time.

You're wrong there.

In Germany where PR decides the make up of the Bundestag, the difference in voting between PR and FPTP can be as much as 10%.

This suggests people don't feel like they have a choice. That a lot of people are voting negatively.

 

[JLW]

Almost every election I vote in there are more than two people on the ballot per office. Nothing is stopping anybody from voting for those other people. I do it all the time.

More voters should be like you. The problem is there are those who will not vote for a candidate who has a D or R by their name despite the fact the candidate of their party does not represent their interests.

I see that in my area. Residents moan and groan about overdevelopment but continue to vote for Rs who approve these massive subdivisions because they adamantly refuse to vote with anyone with a D by their name.

People may say they dislike both parties, but good luck getting them to vote for anyone other than for their own party. Not everyone obviously, but a a good portion.

 

[cnm]

You ever notice in the media whatever is bad news for democrats gets phrased as both parties?

I usually see it phrased as better for the democrats.

 

[Missouri_Mike]

I usually see it phrased as better for the democrats.

Well they can’t just say democrats have a problem when they obviously do. They have to make it a both thing.