*** UPDATE *** A Gallup poll showed most people weren’t paying attention to the Wall Street protests. But a new poll conducted for the National Journal finds that 59 percent of Americans agree or mostly agree with the protesters…

A new survey shows that Americans overwhelmingly support the self-styled Occupy Wall Street protests that not only have disrupted life in Lower Manhattan but also in Washington and cities and towns across the U.S. and in other nations. Some 59 percent of adults either completely agree or mostly agree with the protesters, while 31 percent mostly disagree or completely disagree; 10 percent of those surveyed didn’t know or refused to answer.

What’s more, many people are paying attention to the rallies. Almost two-thirds of respondents–65 percent–said they’ve heard “a lot” or “some” about the rallies, while 35 percent have said they’ve heard or seen “not too much” or “nothing at all” about the demonstrations.

The results appear in the latest edition of the United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll.

And, more to our point…

Remarkably, nearly one-third of Republicans—31 percent—completely or mostly agree with their aims. The sour economy has sparked some class resentments in unexpected places, it seems.

Methodology…

The United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll is conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, which surveyed 1,007 adults by landline and cell phone on Oct. 13-16. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* This is from a newspaper op-ed in opposition to extending Sears’ tax breaks to keep it from moving its headquarters and 6,000 jobs to another state…

When government officials hand money to large employers while raising taxes on others, we do not have representative government. We have corporate statist government. And when government officials promise a future river of tax revenues to benefit everyone, and then keep tax revenues flowing to one politically connected corporation, we have corporate statist government that has lied to us.

So, who do you think wrote that piece? No fair peeking. Was it one of those Occupy Wall Street lefties? Nope. It was Steve Stanek from the Heartland Institute, which is about as far right as one can get and still receive grant funding.

* Both sides forcefully deny it, but two angry populist streams are definitely overlapping on a major issue. But, as is often the case in America, they’re all talking past each other and accentuating their ideological and partisan differences. Fox Chicago actually tried to force a convergence last night…

FOX Chicago News asked South Sider Catherina Wojtowicz, a founder of the Chicago Tea Patriots, to visit tonight’s Occupy demonstration and let us listen to her talk to the other side.

Among them were unemployed college graduate 20-somethings and an older, self-described “unemployed, Marxian-trained economist.”

The most fascinating exchange, by far, though, involved Larry Roberts, a middle-aged union electrician. He just walked up to us, not directly part of the protest, but very sympathetic to it.

“God bless ‘em. They’re sticking up for the working man and the people less fortunate. God bless ‘em,” said Roberts.

Wojtowicz said she thinks the “Occupy” protesters want to crush Wall Street, and can’t understand what their plan is after that. She does agree with some of their rhetoric, though.

* Scott Stantis’ latest cartoon is relevant here…

* And speaking of corporate aid…

Mr. Emanuel — asked what his top priority is for the Illinois Legislature’s fall veto session — answered that it’s helping CME Group and CBOE Holdings Inc. cut their state income-tax load. The session begins next week.

The firms now are treated “not exactly in a fair way, at least in their view,” he said, and as a result are threatening to move some operations out of town. The big trading firms have made Chicago “a worldwide leader” in the derivatives and options business, he said. “It’s important to us as a city and a state to maintain that leadership.”

Mr. Emanuel served on the board of a predecessor firm to CME several years ago.

Discuss.

* Related…

* New era close at McCormick Place as tentative union pact reached

* Cook County OKs union deal, but storm clouds loom over next one

* Survey: Many Occupy Wall Street protesters are unhappy Democrats who want more influence

* Gallup: Most Americans Uncertain About “Occupy Wall Street” Goals: Given Americans’ apparent lack of knowledge about the Occupy Wall Street movement, it is not surprising to find a minority of Americans describing themselves as supporters (26%) or opponents (19%) of the movement. A majority, 52%, say they are neither supporters nor opponents, with another 4% not having an opinion. Those closely following the news about the movement are more likely to describe themselves as supporters (38%) than opponents (24%). The percentage of supporters increases to 52% among those following the news “very closely.”

* ILGOP Chair: ‘Occupy Chicago’ Protesters should be in front of Mike Madigan’s Office

* Kirk: Occupy Chicago feels like ‘undisciplined, unfocused, unintellectual anger’

* Emanuel says he consulted on Occupy Chicago arrests

* How Occupy Wall Street Is Like the Internet

* Decades Old Calvin and Hobbes Strip Succinctly Explains Occupy Wall Street Movement