From Gallup today
Majorities of Democrats (65%) and Republicans (92%) are dissatisfied with the nation's governance. This perhaps reflects the shared political power arrangement in the nation's capital, with Democrats controlling the White House and U.S. Senate, and Republicans controlling the House of Representatives. Partisans on both sides can thus find fault with government without necessarily blaming their own party.
It looks like this:
More below the squiggle
The full Gallup Report is here:
Americans Express Historic Negativity Toward U.S. Government
Key Findings:
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.
IMHO what this implies is the likelihood of major electoral shifts coming in 2012. No incumbent is safe and party affiliation is likely to help no one.
The WH and Senate need to at least try to get ahead of this, sitting back and waiting for negative public reaction to rebub house actions is a failed strategty.
Harry, hey maybe introduce a budget and get out of this CR never ending story, don't wait to introduce AJA or maybe get over Cowboy poetry fests and bike paths..(Sorry for that, I'm really pissed at the Senate's inability to do anything apparently beside hold press conferences....)
People, if we can't do something and soon, this is gonna be an electoral killing field come 2012.
As I reflect on my own life, the phrase "It wasn't supposed to be like this" keeps coming around.
Any ideas?
Peace