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Both Parties Lose Public Confidence as Americans Grow Angry and Disillusioned

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — With the 2026 midterm elections still a year away, Americans are growing increasingly weary of both major political parties.

Published

12 months ago

October 31, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

With the 2026 midterm elections still a year away, Americans are growing increasingly weary of both major political parties. According to a new Pew Research Center survey, neither the Republican nor the Democratic Party is widely viewed as governing ethically or honestly.

The survey of 3,445 adults, conducted from September 22 to 28, just before the monthlong government shutdown, found that only 39 percent of Americans describe the Republican Party as governing honestly, while 42 percent say the same about the Democrats. Most Americans view both parties as too extreme, with 61 percent saying that about Republicans and 57 percent about Democrats. Frustration dominates the national mood. About half of Americans say both parties make them angry, and only 36 percent say the Republican Party makes them feel hopeful. Even fewer, 28 percent, say that about the Democrats. “Majorities continue to view both parties as too extreme in their positions,” Pew researchers wrote in the report released Thursday. “And both are viewed by majorities as not governing honestly and ethically.”

The discontent is particularly intense within the Democratic Party. Sixty-seven percent of Democrats say their own party makes them feel frustrated, a sharp increase from previous years. Among those who are frustrated, 41 percent say the main reason is that the party has not pushed back hard enough against the Trump administration. Others cite weak leadership, lack of a clear message, and an absence of unity. Republicans express far less frustration than Democrats, though they are not entirely satisfied either. Forty percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say they are frustrated with their party, while nearly seven in ten say the GOP makes them feel hopeful. The study also found that Americans remain deeply divided on policy. The Republican Party continues to hold an edge on crime and immigration, while the Democrats lead on health care, abortion, environmental policy, and issues of race.

Forty-five percent of Americans say they agree with the GOP on crime policy compared with 28 percent who side with Democrats. Republicans also lead by nine points on immigration, but their advantage on the economy has nearly disappeared, falling to only three points. Democrats maintain a wide lead on health care, with 42 percent siding with them and 29 percent with Republicans. Even on foreign policy, large shares of Americans reject both parties. Forty-six percent say they agree with neither on the Israel-Hamas conflict, and 36 percent say the same about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The survey shows that confidence in democratic values is fading. A narrow majority of Americans, 53 percent, say the Democratic Party respects the nation’s democratic institutions and traditions, while only 44 percent say that about the GOP. Democrats are more often described as tolerant of different types of people, with 56 percent saying that applies to the party, compared with 40 percent who say that about Republicans.

Nearly a third of respondents, 31 percent, say both parties are too extreme, and one in four say neither governs honestly. About a quarter say neither represents their interests well. Even when Americans agree, their expectations reveal the divide. Most people in both parties say it is important for the opposing side to compromise, but fewer than half say their own party should do the same. Only 46 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of Republicans say it is very important for their party’s elected officials to reach across the aisle. According to Pew, “Most Americans are frustrated with both parties, and about half say each makes them angry.” The Center concluded that, “Neither the Republican nor Democratic Party is widely seen as having good ideas.” The survey’s margin of error is plus or minus 1.9 percentage points. But the deeper error may lie in how far the public’s faith has fallen in a system that no longer inspires hope. “All in all,” the authors concluded, “Americans don’t see many good ideas from either political party.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

#AutoNetwork

Oakland Post

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.