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CCH® HR MANAGEMENT - 6/27/08

Workers blame politics for death of the American Dream

Politicians take heed—More than half of U.S. workers say the American Dream is unattainable and nearly half blame the political system for the deterioration in their economic circumstances, according to a new national survey. A workplace poll, conducted in May 2008 by Zogby International for The Marlin Company, found that nearly three quarters of U.S. workers (74.7 percent) said the American dream is not as attainable today as it was eight years ago; 52.4 percent said it was simply unattainable for the average worker.

The survey defines the American dream as “the opportunity to have a nice home, financial security for you and your family, and hope for the future.”

The workplace poll also found that nearly half (45.1 percent) of U.S. workers admit to being “bitter” because “the political system has caused a deterioration of [their] economic circumstances.” Nearly half (47.5 percent) of 30-49 yearolds surveyed report feeling bitter, while only 38.4 percent of 18-29 year-olds feel bitter.

“While Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama took a lot of heat for his ‘bitter’ comment, this poll shows that workers clearly are in fact ‘bitter’ over the political system and the economy,” said Frank Kenna III, president of the Marlin Company, a global workplace communications firm. “It sends a clear message to politicians that the average U.S. worker is in pain. Will our politicians go beyond talk to truly respond to the needs of U.S. workers,” Kenna questioned.

More than three-fourths (77.2 percent) of U.S. workers say they feel unrepresented by the political system on workplace issues. These include healthcare, retirement, fuel prices and the economy. Women feel even less represented than men with 81.9 percent of female workers feeling unrepresented, in comparison to 72.5 percent of male workers.

“The Marlin workplace poll uncovered an attitude shift among U.S. workers who are more disillusioned and fed up than ever,” said Kenna. “And who do workers blame? The political ystem. They feel that politicians aren’t speaking to them about important issues. There is clearly massive frustration here and candidates need to address this disconnect.”

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