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Tag: disapproval

Record Number Of Americans Dissatisfied With Government

The results of Gallup’s annual governance survey have been released, and things aren’t looking too good for politicians seeking reelection: “A record-high 81% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way the country is being governed, adding to negativity that has been building over the past 10 years.” This massive figure could portend big shake-ups in the next election cycle. Other key findings are:

82% of Americans disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job.

69% say they have little or no confidence in the legislative branch of government, an all-time high and up from 63% in 2010.

57% have little or no confidence in the federal government to solve domestic problems, exceeding the previous high of 53% recorded in 2010 and well exceeding the 43% who have little or no confidence in the government to solve international problems.

53% have little or no confidence in the men and women who seek or hold elected office.

Americans believe, on average, that the federal government wastes 51 cents of every tax dollar, similar to a year ago, but up significantly from 46 cents a decade ago and from an average 43 cents three decades ago.

49% 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. In 2003, less than a third (30%) believed this.

Obama’s Approval Rating on Economy Reaches New Low

With only 37 percent of registered voters approving his handling of the economy — his lowest numbers yet — according to a McClatchy Newspapers-Marist poll, President Barack Obama is in an uncertain position coming into the 2012 election season. Overall, 45 percent of voters approve of his job performance, and 47 percent disapprove; these numbers have been roughly steady since the end of 2009.

The poll surveyed 1,003 adults, including 801 registered voters, from June 15-23 and also found that nearly two out of three voters disapprove of how Obama is handing the federal budget deficit, which hit a record high of $1.5 trillion. On a hopeful note, the poll found that 50 percent of voters had a favorable impression of him, and two out of three Americans said the country’s economic conditions did not stem from the president’s own policies.

Approval ratings of Congress were also low, with 63 percent of voters disapproving of Republican representatives and 60 percent disapproving of Democrats.