Survey: Most Have Lost Faith in Govt.

(Newsroom America) -- Most Americans by far have lost faith in Washington's ability to not only fix the nation's lingering economic woes but to solve any major issue, according to a new survey.

The Washington Post said barely one in four - 26 percent - of respondents in its survey said lawmakers and the administration were capable of addressing the stagnant economy, with most also sharing Standard & Poor's criticism of the policy-making process.

The poll's results highlight dissipating confidence among the electorate in the country's political system, hitting both Democrats and Republicans as most say they would like to see new representation when the 2012 election cycle is complete.

Just 26 percent said they believe the government is capable of solving any of the nation's problems, the Post reported, citing its poll results. That confidence level is down 21 points since October 2010, and it's less than half of what it was in 2002.

More than seven in 10 say they believe the government is "mostly focused on the wrong things," and that's a sentiment that is shared across party lines, the paper said.

But beyond that point of agreement, two-thirds of Republicans who say the government's focus is misdirected say President Barack Obama and Democrats are at fault, with just about as many Democrats blaming Republicans. Among Independents, the poll said, a plurality - 43 percent - blame both sides.

In all, 78 percent of Americans say they are unhappy with the country's political system, up "significantly" from just two years ago shortly after Obama took office, said the Post. The dissatisfaction is bipartisan, with supporters of both parties expressing angst.

Also, confidence in Obama has fallen double digits since January, while confidence in congressional Republicans, which was already lower, has been cut in half, said the survey.

© 2010 Newsroom America.

Contact Jon E. Dougherty

Newsroom America Twitter Feed