Poll Shows U.S. Distrust of Politicians 'Epidemic'

[UpInArms]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=10&u=/nm/campaign_trust_dc

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Americans' distrust of politicians and business leaders has reached an "epidemic" level, driven by the Iraq (news - web sites) war, the disputed 2000 presidential election and financial scandals, a Reuters/DecisionQuest poll revealed on Wednesday.

The nationwide telephone survey of 1,100 adults found 61 percent of Americans had lost faith in leaders and institutions over the past four years.

The poll was conducted last week and had a margin of error of 2.96 percentage points.

"A significant proportion of people feel disenfranchised," said DecisionQuest Chief Executive Philip Anthony. "It seems that there is an epidemic level of loss of trust here."

<snip>

When asked about specific factors causing an overall loss of trust, 34.5 percent cited the war in Iraq. The 2000 election controversy in Florida came in second with 16 percent. Other reasons included white-collar crime scandals with 14.4 percent and terrorism with 11.5 percent.

...more...

[demoman123]

1. This headline is overblown.

From the article:

The study showed politicians received "C" grades on a scale of A-plus, meaning totally trustworthy, to F, meaning totally untrustworthy.

People are being very polite here. I wouldn't give them a "C." I'd give them an "F."

[w4rma]

5. Not really. Mistrust has grown ALOT since the 1950s. (nt)

[demoman123]

7. Oh? Did they use to give politicians a "B"?

They deserve a f***ing "F."

[readmylips]

2. I'm voting for the Statesman, not the phony politician....

bush the soundbyter.

[oldsneakers]

3. Direct result of the swiftboat liars

people don't appreciate people slaming a hero.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Well, in all honesty, my loss of trust in political and business leaders

stems from my experiences at a local level. I just recognized the pattern at the federal level the minute George Bush went into office and began running the country in the same way. I really do believe that the white culture in this country accepts cronyism as the norm. Which would explain why they wouldn't want minorities in positions of power.

[w4rma]

6. Where the heck is the worst culprit of them all: Fox News, on this list?

A number of major U.S. journalism outlets, including CBS, The New York Times, USA Today and CNN, have been tainted in recent years by flawed and false reporting.

[Leilani]

8. Gee, I wonder why they don t trust pols?

I learned my lessons from LBJ, & haven t changed my mind since.

An honest politician, is a RARE exception. And there are very few who truly look out for the peoples interests, rather than their own.

[yellowcanine]

9. Well if the main reasons are Iraq and Election 2000 - then Bush is the

main cause of the distrust - or am I missing something?

[central scrutinizer]

10. this has been the Repukes plan for a couple decades

1. make people hate and distrust the government
2. this discourages people from voting and paying attention to the news
3. voter turnout goes down among those people who are more likely to vote Democratic
4. The Pukes have always been good at getting their fundie base to vote
5. Pukes win, America loses
6. Rinse, repeat
7. QED

[robbedvoter]

11. Code name for :"stay home, don't vote"

media been working this angle for decades now, with Nader as their flag bearer.

[dumpster_baby]

12. a revolution in the making: "Americans' growing suspicion of authority."

from the article:

"This lack of trust is manifesting itself in jury verdicts," Anthony said, referring to Americans' growing suspicion of authority."



Now THAT gets pretty close to the source of America's biggest problem: our elite, the leaders of our institutions are rotten to the core. We need to try about 10% percent of them for treason, and punish them as we used to punish traitors.

For far too long in America, far too long, the little guy has been under the heel of those at the top. You don't see this crap in Australia, or in other western nations. One obvious symptom of this peculiarly American sickness is the number of people in jail, or charged for crimes. It is far harder to be put in jail in other western nations.

If all comes down to whether a nation is designed for its citizens, or designed for the elite. And this country was built from the ground up, for slavery, indentured servitide, etc.

The other western nations had their revolution, and at least to some extent, threw off the yoke of the elite. We never have.