No Faith in Our Government

Again, I try to stay somewhat positive when writing this column, but about the only thing we have positive to say about our national government is that Wyoming’s Congressional delegation is doing a good job, and we’re thankful they have so much respect back in Washington, D.C. All three are in leadership roles – roles based on hard work, good thinking and conservative spending.

Reading the latest Gallup Poll on “Americans Express Historic Negativity Toward U.S. Government,” one doesn’t come away with the greatest of feelings. It shows “record or near-record criticism of Congress, elected officials, government handling of domestic programs, the scope of government power and government waste of tax dollars.” That pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it? Americans should be proud of their government. Even at its worst, and that could be the present, we’re still better than all the rest. One person, one vote, the majority wins – you feel they do a poor job, then vote them out, as it’s not a lifetime job. If they are doing a good job, keep voting for them and let them build up their seniority. That’s how our republic works.
It was disturbing to read the poll, first because it really does reflect our national government, as the guy said, “I’d rather vote for Charlie Sheen.” On the cable news shows there are those who praise our government officials, and those who always slam them. Why don’t they both forgo the spin and just report the news? Who cares about their personal opinions, we can think for ourselves so give us the facts.

The poll stated that 65 percent of Democrats and 92 percent of Republicans are dissatisfied with the nation’s governance. That is huge, isn’t it? Other key findings were: 82 percent of Americans disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job; 69 percent say they have little or no confidence in Congress; 57 percent have little or no confidence in the federal government to solve domestic problems; 53 percent have little or no confidence in the men and women who seek or hold elected office; and 49 percent 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.

The latest actions of the Senate this past week would cause higher percentages, I think, and I would guess they won’t drop anytime soon. The rise started around 2002 and really rose after 2008 as I see it, so it looks like the Iraq and Afghanistan war started the movement that has escalated in the last three years. The war has really taken its toll, both in dollars spent and lives lost. We’re really proud of our servicemen and women who do their jobs, and especially those who have been wounded or lost their lives. We just want our leaders to explain the timetable and how we’ll know we’ve reached it.

Complaining about government has gone from casual conversation to epidemic ranting, and when we get to that part, one realizes we are in trouble. The positive part is that we are able to do something about it, and hopefully we are at the bottom, with nowhere to go but up.

Dennis