I predict it will be much higher before obama is through
Thanks for the ping.
Yes. But by using the phrase "the government", the pollster is tacitly referencing the federal government only. The problem of violations of individual rights, however, is not limited to the federal government, but involves state, county, and local governments as well. That is, all levels of government and many different agencies within them are violators on various occasions.
Furthermore, the problems tend to increase in frequency as government is allotted more authority by legislators on various levels and by gutless judges who too often refuse to hold government employees accountable and liable for overreaching their boundaries of power.
All this has been going on for decades, but continues to spiral more out of control with time.
James Bovard has written at least three books on this general subject which are compilations of true stories of outrageous government actions against American citizens, one aptly titled "Lost Rights." Reading Bovard's books will hopefully give second thoughts to anyone who can't see government as a threat.