lifestyle

A Panama City coffee klatch gets into events and issues in Panama and the USA

The April 24 Coffee Party was attended by a number of Canadians, Panamanians and Americans. Much of our discussion centered on why there is so much anger among the electorate. Using the latest Pew polls where 40 percent support Obama administration, but only 17 percent support Congress, we concluded that the anger isn't partisan, but has as its source a distrust of corporations, congressional incumbents, and the political process. We discussed that there were many things working well in the States and that not all politicians are either crooks or incompetents as painted by some in the media.

However, this distrust could lead to a fracturing of the Republican Party and some seats lost by Democrats in the mid-term elections, especially if immigration reform is 'demonized.' Some participants at this Coffee Party meeting opined that Republican blocking of financial reforms proposed by Democrats could hurt Republican chances for gains over their immigration reform opposition and other issues.

Two Pew Research reports that informed the Coffee Party discussion:

Distrust, Discontent, Anger and Partisan Rancor

Gloomy Americans Bash Congress, Are Divided on Obama