From “New Poll Finds a Deep Distrust of Government” by Jeff Zeleny and Megan Thee-Brenan

“With Election Day just over a year away, a deep sense of economic anxiety and doubt about the future hangs over the nation, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll, with Americans’ distrust of government at its highest level ever. The combustible climate helps explain the volatility of the presidential race and has provided an opening for protest movements like Occupy Wall Street, to highlight grievances about banks, income inequality and a sense that the poor and middle class have been disenfranchised…Not only do 89 percent of Americans say they distrust government to do the right thing, but 74 percent say the country is on the wrong track and 84 percent disapprove of Congress— warnings for Democrats and Republicans alike.”

Questions for Consideration

How do the findings of this poll compare with your own views of government? What explains the rise in growing public distrust of government institutions? How can we work towards making government leaders more responsive to the needs of the people?

Want to learn more?

• What Explains The Rise In Public Distrust In Government Institutions
• Americans distrust their government: trust in federal officials has risen in recent years, but remains low.
• Public Distrust Of Government Will Not Shrink Government
• Could distrust in government be a good thing?

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