Majority Distrusts Government

[native]

"Can you trust Washington? Nearly 80 percent of Americans say they can't and they have little faith that the massive federal bureaucracy can solve the nation's ills, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center that shows public confidence in the federal government at one of the lowest points in a half-century...."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100419/ap_ ... t_distrust" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dbackjon]

Well, when the talking heads, and one of the parties spend half their time preaching how evil government is, what do you expect.

[dbackjon]

Still, a majority supported the Obama administration exerting greater control over the economy during the recession.

I'm Angry at the Government!! I don't trust you!!!! But fix MY PROBLEM!!!!

[travelinman67]

Well, when the talking heads, and one of the parties spend half their time preaching how evil government is, what do you expect.

I'm confused, d...

...is this a different "evil government" than the one which separated the two elderly gay gents?

Or is CA's liberal government "evil" while the liberal Obama Administration is "good"?




Sooo confused...

[native]

Still, a majority supported the Obama administration exerting greater control over the economy during the recession.

I'm Angry at the Government!! I don't trust you!!!! But fix MY PROBLEM!!!!

Keep you head in the sand, jon, and keep blaming the victims instead of the perps. Distrust of the government is at a 50 year low! Fox News did not create those levels of distrust, nor did tea partiers or taxpayers. The political class is to blame, Reps and Dems alike. Of course Americans gave Obama the benefit of the doubt at first, but look how quickly he has betrayed our trust.

You may not know such people personally, but you should be aware that there are still a significant plurality of people who don't want government help to solve their problems. They just want the government to get out of the way.

[kalm]

Still, a majority supported the Obama administration exerting greater control over the economy during the recession.

I'm Angry at the Government!! I don't trust you!!!! But fix MY PROBLEM!!!!

Keep you head in the sand, jon, and keep blaming the victims instead of the perps. Distrust of the government is at a 50 year low! Fox News did not create those levels of distrust, not did tea partiers or taxpayers. The political class is to blame, Reps and Dems alike. Of course Americans gave Obama the benefit of the doubt at first, but look how quickly he has betrayed our trust.

You do understand that government is a neccessary evil right?

[native]

Keep you head in the sand, jon, and keep blaming the victims instead of the perps. Distrust of the government is at a 50 year low! Fox News did not create those levels of distrust, not did tea partiers or taxpayers. The political class is to blame, Reps and Dems alike. Of course Americans gave Obama the benefit of the doubt at first, but look how quickly he has betrayed our trust.

You do understand that government is a neccessary evil right?

Your version of government is not necessary. It is just evil.

[kalm]

You do understand that government is a neccessary evil right?

Your version of government is not necessary. It is just evil.

You wouldn't recognize my system of government if it bit you in the ass. It gave rise to the longest period of sustained growth and strongest middle class the world has ever seen. It's the square deal, white picket fence, little pink houses, mixed economy enjoyed by the Greatest Generation. It's called America and it's history predates 1980.

[kalm]

Your version of government is not necessary. It is just evil.

You wouldn't recognize my system of government if it bit you in the ass. It gave rise to the longest period of sustained growth and strongest middle class the world has ever seen. It's the square deal, white picket fence, little pink houses, mixed economy enjoyed by the Greatest Generation. It's called America and it's history predates 1980.

America...fuck yeah.

(that's right, I quoted myself bitch)

[dbackjon]

Still, a majority supported the Obama administration exerting greater control over the economy during the recession.

I'm Angry at the Government!! I don't trust you!!!! But fix MY PROBLEM!!!!

Keep you head in the sand, jon, and keep blaming the victims instead of the perps. Distrust of the government is at a 50 year low! Fox News did not create those levels of distrust, not did tea partiers or taxpayers. The political class is to blame, Reps and Dems alike. Of course Americans gave Obama the benefit of the doubt at first, but look how quickly he has betrayed our trust.

You may not know such people personally, but you should be aware that there are still a significant plurality of people who don't want government help to solve their problems. They just want the government to get out of the way.

I think you missed the point of my post. A majority distrust Government, and out of their lives, but a majority wants the Government to fix their problems...

[dbackjon]

Well, when the talking heads, and one of the parties spend half their time preaching how evil government is, what do you expect.

I'm confused, d...

...is this a different "evil government" than the one which separated the two elderly gay gents?

Or is CA's liberal government "evil" while the liberal Obama Administration is "good"?




Sooo confused...

I have long known you to be confused. It is ok. We expect it now.

I have more faith in Washington than I do most local yokel/state governments.

[native]

You wouldn't recognize my system of government if it bit you in the ass. It gave rise to the longest period of sustained growth and strongest middle class the world has ever seen. It's the square deal, white picket fence, little pink houses, mixed economy enjoyed by the Greatest Generation. It's called America and it's history predates 1980.

America...**** yeah.

(that's right, I quoted myself bitch)

The Square Deal was indeed a good deal. I am not against everything Progressive, but your irrational exuberance in celebration of all things "progressive" is unjustified and does not define American greatness.

[native]

Keep you head in the sand, jon, and keep blaming the victims instead of the perps. Distrust of the government is at a 50 year low! Fox News did not create those levels of distrust, not did tea partiers or taxpayers. The political class is to blame, Reps and Dems alike. Of course Americans gave Obama the benefit of the doubt at first, but look how quickly he has betrayed our trust.

You may not know such people personally, but you should be aware that there are still a significant plurality of people who don't want government help to solve their problems. They just want the government to get out of the way.

I think you missed the point of my post. A majority distrust Government, and out of their lives, but a majority wants the Government to fix their problems...

Point taken, jon, but your post implies that those who distruct government and those who want government to fix their problems are the same group of people. Although there is overlap, they are different majorities, different groups.

[∞∞∞]

I wonder how many people who distrust the government didn't vote in the last election, and won't in the upcoming ones. I mean in a democracy, the majority of the government has been elected by the majority of the people, who majorily trusted who they were electing, right? If the majority of people distrust the government, then the fault for electing this distrustful government is on the majority of citizens, no?

[native]

I wonder how many people who distrust the government didn't vote in the last election, and won't in the upcoming ones. I mean in a democracy, the majority of the government has been elected by the majority of the people, who majorily trusted who they were electing, right? If the majority of people distrust the government, then the fault for electing this distrustful government is on the majority of citizens, no?

It's a fair point to make, but I am not convinced that the electorate in many cases trusted those for whom they voted, or in most cases that they even had a valid choice.

[∞∞∞]

I wonder how many people who distrust the government didn't vote in the last election, and won't in the upcoming ones. I mean in a democracy, the majority of the government has been elected by the majority of the people, who majorily trusted who they were electing, right? If the majority of people distrust the government, then the fault for electing this distrustful government is on the majority of citizens, no?

It's a fair point to make, but I am not convinced that the electorate in many cases trusted those for whom they voted, or in most cases that they even had a valid choice.

Then if we don't trust those who we vote for, shouldn't we as citizens of a democracy find people part of our communities who we can trust. I think as Americans, we've forgotten a bit how this country was built, and that we're too complacent to what's given to us. I think being complacent with the status quo(s) has been the downfall of every country that's folded from within. If we don't trust the people runnin' the show, let's find the people we trust and get them on the ballots...we as citizens have to go out there and create a change. In the end, it all falls on us...

[kalm]

America...**** yeah.

(that's right, I quoted myself bitch)

The Square Deal was indeed a good deal. I am not against everything Progressive, but your irrational exuberance in celebration of all things "progressive" is unjustified and does not define American greatness.

Again, you don't listen very well and are conflating progressive with liberal. For instance, I think Obama's continuation of Bush economic policies and domestic spying are regressive as they (so far) further entrench a plutocracy and remove privacy rights. And there are many issues where I favor the status quo - like Tman's thread concerning the filthy little back-talking urchins in our schools which should be paddled from time to time and made to wear uniforms.

I'm much more interested in the economic populist side of early 20th century progressive movement.

[native]

It's a fair point to make, but I am not convinced that the electorate in many cases trusted those for whom they voted, or in most cases that they even had a valid choice.

Then if we don't trust those who we vote for, shouldn't we as citizens of a democracy find people part of our communities who we can trust. I think as Americans, we've forgotten a bit how this country was built, and that we're too complacent to what's given to us. I think being complacent with the status quo(s) has been the downfall of every country that's folded from within. If we don't trust the people runnin' the show, let's find the people we trust and get them on the ballots...we as citizens have to go out there and create a change from within. In the end, it all falls on us...

Well said!

Although the complacency is not excusable, it is understandable. In a well functioning democracy, the people shouldn't have to be worried about the government. They shouldn't have to be worried about their backs. They should be free to worry about family and work and church and football and whatever they deem important in pursuit of their own happiness. It's not just a matter of trust for the people pulling the levers. It's also a matter of government not trying to do everything and be everything to everyone.

[kalm]

Then if we don't trust those who we vote for, shouldn't we as citizens of a democracy find people part of our communities who we can trust. I think as Americans, we've forgotten a bit how this country was built, and that we're too complacent to what's given to us. I think being complacent with the status quo(s) has been the downfall of every country that's folded from within. If we don't trust the people runnin' the show, let's find the people we trust and get them on the ballots...we as citizens have to go out there and create a change from within. In the end, it all falls on us...

Well said!

Although the complacency is not excusable, it is understandable. In a well functioning democracy, the people shouldn't have to be worried about the government. They shouldn't have to be worried about their backs. They should be free to worry about family and work and church and football and whatever they deem important in pursuit of their own happiness. It's not just a matter of trust for the people pulling the levers. It's also a matter of government not trying to do everything and be everything to everyone.

I suppose next you're going to ask why we just can't all get along? Quit channeling Chizzang you dirty hippie.

[Baldy]

Well, when Thomas Paine spent half his time preaching how evil government is, what do you expect.

FIFY

[native]

Well said!

Although the complacency is not excusable, it is understandable. In a well functioning democracy, the people shouldn't have to be worried about the government. They shouldn't have to be worried about their backs. They should be free to worry about family and work and church and football and whatever they deem important in pursuit of their own happiness. It's not just a matter of trust for the people pulling the levers. It's also a matter of government not trying to do everything and be everything to everyone.

I suppose next you're going to ask why we just can't all get along? Quit channeling Chizzang you dirty hippie.

Me?!??? Cleets!?!!???

My goodness you are feisty today!

[∞∞∞]

It's also a matter of government not trying to do everything and be everything to everyone.

QFT.

The government should protect our basic rights as human beings and our rights under the constitution. It should also deal with broader subjects like tariffs, federal taxes, currency, war, and regulate businesses and environmental issues to a reasonable extent. Otherwise, the local governments should be the the backbone of this country...not the other way around.

[native]

The Square Deal was indeed a good deal. I am not against everything Progressive, but your irrational exuberance in celebration of all things "progressive" is unjustified and does not define American greatness.

Again, you don't listen very well and are conflating progressive with liberal. For instance, I think Obama's continuation of Bush economic policies and domestic spying are regressive as they (so far) further entrench a plutocracy and remove privacy rights. And there are many issues where I favor the status quo - like Tman's thread concerning the filthy little back-talking urchins in our schools which should be paddled from time to time and made to wear uniforms.

I'm much more interested in the economic populist side of early 20th century progressive movement.

Aw, bullsh!t. You have written volumes on these pages celebrating progressives and progressivism, well beyond just early 20th century populism.

But I take you at your word. Go for it.

[CitadelGrad]

Your version of government is not necessary. It is just evil.

You wouldn't recognize my system of government if it bit you in the ass. It gave rise to the longest period of sustained growth and strongest middle class the world has ever seen. It's the square deal, white picket fence, little pink houses, mixed economy enjoyed by the Greatest Generation. It's called America and it's history predates 1980.

Actually, that's called WWII. You know, that war that left Europe and most of Asia in rubble. That war that left only one industrialized country standing.

[travelinman67]

I'm confused, d...

...is this a different "evil government" than the one which separated the two elderly gay gents?

Or is CA's liberal government "evil" while the liberal Obama Administration is "good"?




Sooo confused...

I have long known you to be confused. It is ok. We expect it now.

I have more faith in Washington than I do most local yokel/state governments.

A Federalist.

Got it.

You do know Federalism preaches a timeless doctrine?

One that would eschew a "living" constitution.





Sooo confused...