If you want to run for office…

By Jim Stergios
September 26th, 2011

This is a good year to do so. The Gallup numbers are no surprise (been in this range for a while), but the dissatisfaction with incumbents is, if anything, deepening. As regards Congress and Washington’s ability to get things done, this and other polls do suggest that the view that states should have a larger role in decision-making is gaining steam on both sides of the aisle.

The findings include

- 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.

It’s going to be a rough year for incumbents when Americans estimate waste at a rate higher than Carla Howell!