The politics of anger: Why Americans are so angry

According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, to the question "How angry are you at the current policies of the federal government?" 45 percent of Americans replied "very angry" and 30 percent said "somewhat angry."  But when they were given a choice of "angry," "dissatisfied," "satisfied," or "enthusiastic" about the way the federal government works, "dissatisfied" was the most popular choice at 48 percent. An additional 19 percent chose "angry."

The angriest voters are conservatives, at 32 percent. Ten percent of liberals and 12 percent of moderates are angry.

The large bonuses paid to the executives of bailed-out financial institutions elicit the most anger from Americans – 62 percent, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll. The bailouts themselves angered 48 percent of Americans, partisan gridlock angered 39 percent, and the budget deficit angered 37 percent.

An article in Christian Science Monitor is trying to dig down to the roots of anger in the American psyche and discover the of reasons for dissatisfaction. The analysis follows the evolution of extra-partisan political activism in American history, focusing on the "Tea Party" movement specifically.

Read more in Christian Science Monitor...