On Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) pointed to a new poll to argue that Americans increasingly believe wealth and political influence are concentrated in the hands of a small group of billionaires.
Sanders took to X after the release of the Wall Street Journal-NORC survey, highlighting one of its most striking findings: roughly three-quarters of Americans believe billionaires have too much power in Washington, while working people have too little influence.
“In a new WSJ poll, 75% of Americans believe billionaires have too much power in Washington and working people have too little,” Sanders wrote. “THEY ARE RIGHT.”
The independent senator added, “While working families struggle, never before have so few people held so much economic and political power. We’re taking them on!”
Beyond concerns about billionaire influence, the survey painted a broader picture of growing public dissatisfaction with the nation’s economic and political systems.
Just under half of respondents said capitalism is working at least somewhat well, down from 60% about a decade ago, while only 12% said U.S. democracy is working very or extremely well.
Only 16% believe average citizens have significant influence over politics and just 35% expressed confidence that Americans can still secure good jobs and achieve the American dream.
The survey also found that about two-thirds of Americans believe the country is in decline, while roughly 60% said the nation’s best days are behind it.
On corporate influence, 52% agreed that businesses wield power at the expense of workers and consumers and said the government should do more to limit that influence.
