PEW Research Center: Distrust, Discontent, Anger of the People Toward Government at All Time High

THE PERFECT STORM OF WE THE PEOPLE’s DISCONTENT …

From the PEW Research Center, 22% polled say they can trust the government in Washington almost always or most of the time. This is one of the lowest measures in half a century. 19% says they are “basically content” with the federal government.

By almost every conceivable measure Americans are less positive and more critical of government these days. A new Pew Research Center survey finds a perfect storm of conditions associated with distrust of government – a dismal economy, an unhappy public, bitter partisan-based backlash, and epic discontent with Congress and elected officials.

Rather than an activist government to deal with the nation’s top problems, the public now wants government reformed and growing numbers want its power curtailed. With the exception of greater regulation of major financial institutions, there is less of an appetite for government solutions to the nation’s problems – including more government control over the economy – than there was when Barack Obama first took office.

Although Congress approval ratings are at record lows, Obama does not get off the hook either by those polled. Only 40% say that Obama is doing a good job as President.

While job ratings for the Obama administration are mostly negative, they are much more positive than the ratings for Congress; 40% say the administration does an excellent or good job while just 17% say the same about Congress.

This does not bode well for the party in power or any one on the anger political hit list. Maybe Bill Clinton would like to revise his prediction?