Anger With Government Top Problem

Politicians have finally received the message. People are disgusted with the performance of government, especially Washington D.C. Dissatisfaction with government now tops the economy and jobs as the “most important problems facing the country today.” (Gallup, Jan. 8, 2014)

Gallup also reports that when asked if they are satisfied or dissatisfied with government and how it works that dissatisfaction has been accelerating since 2002, when only one in four Americans expressed dissatisfaction. Today, two-thirds (65%) are unhappy with its performance. Wars, the Great Recession, and now gridlock have pushed the public’s tolerance to the edge. It’s not clear where the public finds relief, but the politics of 2014 will likely be intense.

Old-fashioned crime and law and order does not appear among the top ten items, but corruption, abuse of power, moral and ethical decline, and dishonesty are on the list. In a Denver Post interview with Kurtis Lee, I pointed out crime was not a top issue on people’s mind in an open-ended question, but when people are asked directly about crime, they express concern.

In Colorado, the mass shootings, high-profile murderers (like Nathan Dunlap) and the state parole system were leading topics throughout 2013.

“Sure, some issues are more important to voters, like the jobs and the economy, but law and order is on the list,” said Floyd Ciruli, a local political analyst and pollster.

See Gallup polls:
Americans cite gov’t, economy, healthcare as top problems
Government itself still cited as top U.S. problem
The U.S., 65% dissatisfied with how gov’t system works