Americans Feel the System Is Rigged Against Hardworking People
An NBC News poll released March 12, 2026, reveals that 59% of registered voters believe the economic and political systems are stacked against people like them.
This matches the record high set in April 1992 and exceeds the 47% recorded in May 2010 following the Great Recession, reflecting deep and persistent frustration among everyday Americans who work hard but feel left behind.
Survey Details and Key Findings on Fairness
The poll, conducted February 27 to March 3, 2026, among 1,000 registered voters (margin of error ±3.1 percentage points) using telephone and online methods, also found that 84% agree with the statement:
“the very rich and powerful are above the law when they do something wrong, they look out for each other, using their power and connections to get special treatment.”
Among those who share this view, two-thirds say the situation has gotten worse over the past five or 10 years.
Demographic breakdowns show significant shifts: 73% of Democrats now agree the systems are rigged against them, up 26 points since September 2022, while Republican agreement has fallen to 44%, down 21 points in the same period. Roughly two-thirds of independents also feel the systems work against ordinary people.
Expert Insights and the Fight Against Cronyism
Economist David Hebert of the American Institute for Economic Research pointed to the disconnect between government-reported numbers and real-world struggles:
“Government statistics say that the economy is doing alright, but millions of Americans are frustrated. When in doubt, we should believe the people. They know more about their local conditions than any Bureau in Washington D.C.”
Hebert clarified that the anger is directed at cronyism rather than free enterprise: “The American people, by and large, are not anti-capitalism. They’re anti-cronyism, where well-connected people get bailouts, tax breaks, and regulatory carveouts. These crush the small businesses that are just trying to get ahead and reward the bigger, wealthier firms.”
Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt, who helped conduct the survey, described the results as showing “historic levels of anger and disgust with our political and economic systems. It is a series of warning signs for the establishment and leaders of the country that Americans are deeply dissatisfied and looking for change.”
These findings capture the ongoing challenges facing American workers—rising living costs, job insecurity from unfair competition, and policies that appear to favor elites and special interests over those who rely on honest labor, determination, and fair opportunity to provide for their families and build stronger communities.
The poll serves as a clear signal for reforms that restore fairness and put hardworking citizens first.
