America hates Wall Street.
Occupy Wall Street's emergence and increasing strength has inspired CNN to conduct a poll of public opinion of bankers and tell us what we already knew, but perhaps not to this degree: Opinions of Wall St. Bankers have sunk below the proverbial lawyers, used car salesmen, and possibly even congresspeople. In a remarkable poll conducted by CNN, bankers were identified as possibly Americans' least favorite people.
14. Please tell me whether you think each of the following descriptions apply or do not apply to Wall Street bankers and brokers: (RANDOM ORDER)
Applies Does not apply No opinion
Intelligent 82% 17% 1%
Greedy 80% 19% 1%
Overpaid 77% 21% 2%
Dishonest 65% 32% 3%
Community minded 24% 74% 1%
Ouch. Nowhere do people chime in that they're 'savvy business people'.
And Americans don't think Wall Street has the answers to the struggling economy:
13. Overall, how much do you trust Wall Street bankers and brokers to do what is best for the economy -- a great deal, somewhat, a little, or not at all?
A great deal 3%
Somewhat 20%
A little 22%
Not at all 54%
No opinion 1%
Considering that the media has never portrayed Wall Street negatively, this is remarkable evidence of continuing discontent with the ruling class, yet this still reamains unharnessed by any politicians. What is possibly most interesting is that 26% of respondents have still not heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement, indicating that it can only grow and strengthen.
Link to full poll: here