Via Economix comes this poll from Issues & Answers Network and Stratcom Communications asking consumers whether they felt "betrayed" by the crisis and, if so, by whom. Importantly, the question was open-ended: Respondents named their own villain. And overwhelmingly, they blamed the government:
Sadly, there was little in the way of follow-up. Which makes it an odd poll. A conservative could look at it and feel satisfied that the public was blaming the government. This has simply further shaken trust in the long-discredited notion of a wise and enlightened state. But a liberal could look at it and feel satisfied that the public was blaming the government for not doing enough to protect them from Wall Street's foolishness. This has simply further cemented the realization that government regulation is necessary to protect us from the market's excesses. As a liberal, I'd say that's probably the right interpretation. But then, I would say that, wouldn't I?
Sadly, there was little in the way of follow-up. Which makes it an odd poll. A conservative could look at it and feel satisfied that the public was blaming the government. This has simply further shaken trust in the long-discredited notion of a wise and enlightened state. But a liberal could look at it and feel satisfied that the public was blaming the government for not doing enough to protect them from Wall Street's foolishness. This has simply further cemented the realization that government regulation is necessary to protect us from the market's excesses. As a liberal, I'd say that's probably the right interpretation. But then, I would say that, wouldn't I? 
