According to a Gallup poll released Monday morning, Americans’ views of their government’s job performance have reached a critical level of negativity.
The Gallup poll found a record-high 81 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the way the United States is being governed. The poll showed majorities of both Republicans (92 percent) and Democrats (65 percent) are unhappy with the government’s performance.
Gallup explains that the tremendous pessimism and negativity may be a result of shared political power in Washington, “with Democrats controlling the White House and U.S. Senate, and Republicans controlling the House of Representatives.” In this scenario, both Republicans and Democrats can blame the government without having to point the finger at their own party.
The poll also found that Americans typically believe the federal government wastes 51 cents of every tax dollar.
In addition, 49 percent of Americans believe the federal government has become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Gallup notes that “in 2003 less than a third (30%) believed this.”