Poll: Americans' confidence in the federal government at a 50-year low, 80 percent are wary

Morning Call ^ | 4/19/2010 | Staff

[Red in Blue PA]

WASHINGTON (AP) — America's "Great Compromiser" Henry Clay called government "the great trust," but most Americans today have little faith in Washington's ability to deal with the nation's problems.

Public confidence in government is at one of the lowest points in a half century, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans say they don't trust the federal government and have little faith it can solve America's ills, the survey found.

The survey illustrates the ominous situation President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party face as they struggle to maintain their comfortable congressional majorities in this fall's elections. Midterm prospects are typically tough for the party in power. Add a toxic environment like this and lots of incumbent Democrats could be out of work.

The survey found that just 22 percent of those questioned say they can trust Washington almost always or most of the time and just 19 percent say they are basically content with it. Nearly half say the government negatively effects their daily lives, a sentiment that's grown over the past dozen years.

This anti-government feeling has driven the tea party movement, reflected in fierce protests this past week.

[Colonel Blimp]

When you consider the conventional wisdom that one third of the colonists were patriots, one third loyalists, and one third just trying to maintain their livelihoods, your point is well-taken.

Can’t wait until November!

[Between the Lines]

There is not much hope in the change.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

I wish Jon Voight would run for POTUS. We have little hope in really getting big gov out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeMSW2MNHyg

[Tzimisce]

....and 7 in 10 support their Congresspeople and would vote for them again.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Lawrence v. Texas covers the 1st one..

The dissent apparently agrees that if these cases have stare decisis effect, Texas’ sodomy law would not pass scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause, ...

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=000&invol=02-102

[Towed_Jumper]

“Name one thing that isn’t regulated by the government.”

...our border with Mexico.../snort

[CedarDave]

Fox reported the results were so stunning to the pollsters that they did several follow-ups to verify what the numbers were saying.

[Lucky9teen]

The title is misleading for a reason...

Only twice since the 1950s has public skepticism dipped this deeply — from 1992 to 1995 during which time it hit 17 percent, and 1978 to 1980, bottoming out at 25 percent. The nation was going through economic struggles during both of those periods.

They sure wouldn't want to highlight the OTHER lows in the last 50 years, when Clinton and Carter were president.

[Windflier]

"The survey found that just 22 percent of those questioned say they can trust Washington almost always or most of the time and just 19 percent say they are basically content with it."

That figure almost exactly matches the percentage of self-identified liberals in the country, per recent polling.

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

http://www.commieblaster.com/obama/index.html?v=zCaJ8uYEY1U

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

http://www.jrnyquist.com/media/FifeLeary_Int-1.mp3 July 08, 2008
What Barack Obama learned from the Communist Party
By Andrew Walden

[elpinta]

Well, some religions DO regulate one of those... just sayin’

[SeattleBruce]

Agreed on these points...it’s slow going with the RAT press, but we can guilt them into the truth slowly but surely...even the impression of the Tea Party movement is being slowsly redeemed, because we’re fighting the lies!

That’s why our steady, disciplined efforts MATTER!

[KTM rider]

The republican eunuchs in congress will continue to stay in line and go along for their appeasement hayride because they are part of "the system" that got us in this mess to begin with.

Its the system that enslaves us. Republican AND Democrat both feed at the same trough, Bush was almost as much of a socialist rat as Obama just not as extremist .

The monetary / moneylending system is a government driven slave driving monster that gorges itself on power over the producers until it gets so fat it can't even stand up and has to resort to socialism in order to keep itself fed

[TheThinker]

The bastards might repeal the health part of the bill but they will leave the 2/3 of the bill that empowers the IRS. Little things like the 3.8% sales tax on selling your home,,,little things like that.

Fascism in action.

[sirchtruth]

I know it's frustrating to see selfish irresponsible representatives not understand what makes this country great. However, conservatives in the republican party are the ONLY ones who have a realistic chance to stop and reverse this trend. I don't care what you independent party basters say, conservative republicans are our best hope against tyranny.

Our fight should not be with liberals and socialist. At this point they will lose on their own. We need to bring our biggest fight to the enemy within, moderate/rino republicans. If conservatives do not recognize this we will fail.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“If this survey is any indication of reality then it’s going to be a political bloodbath in November!”

Bump that! I can’t wait! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Name one thing that isn’t regulated by the government.”

WAG here, but I’ll say, ‘Gay Sex.’

What do I win? ;)

Come on! It may be ‘regulated’ and/or against the freakin’ LAW in all ‘57’ states, but it certainly isn’t ENFORCED! ;)

[Ptarmigan]

Talk about a racist nation right there! :)