by Mark Silva
Once a year, the folks at Gallup step back and take a look at confidence in the great institutions of our society.
Guess who's at the bottom of the heap this year?
Congress. Right below HMOs.
Just 12 percent of Ameriicans surveyed voice confidence in Congress, "the lowest of the 16 institutions tested this year, and the worst rating Gallup has measured for any institution in the 35-year history of this question,'' Gallup's Jeffrey Jones adds.
"The poor economy and lack of effective government action on important issues such as gas prices, the Iraq War, and immigration help contribute to the erosion of trust and confidence in government institutions,'' Jones reports. These ratings indicate that people "may be hungry for change in Washington come the fall's elections.''
For more on the survey, read on below, and see Gallup's report.
The question was first asked in 1973. Since 1983, Gallup has been getting annual updated. This one comes from a June 9-12 survey, with a possible margin of error of four percentage points.
Health maintenance organizations come out only slightly better: 13 percent voicing confidence in them.
The two figures suggest that people might be ready for some health care reform out of Washington.
By contrast, in this time of war on two fronts, Americans voice greatest confidence in the military - as they have since 1988 with one exception, in 1997.
Organized religion once held the lead, though today just 48 percent of Americans voice confidence in organized religion, one of its lowest ratings ever. The lowest was 45 percent, in 2002, "at the height of the Catholic Church's priest sex abuse scandal,'' Jones notes.
Before this year, HMO's held the basement.
The Supreme Court draws a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence among 32 percent of those surveyed, it's worst rating ever. The presidency, at 26 percent, is just one point above its lowest rating, in 2007.
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Comments
Yes since Nancy Pelosi and The Elite democ"rats" took control of Congress they have made thing BETTER.
What a joke thats why we need to put the Republicans back into power.
VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
ps Is Obama the Neville Chamberlain of our time ??
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | June 20, 2008 9:49 AM
Congress is at 6 percent approval. Well its run by the Democrats Harry Reid, Dick Durbin in the Senate, Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer and Ram Rod Emmanuel in the House.
They are a do nothing Congress. They have had a 1,000 oversight hearings to bash Bush while doing nothing to give us oil and refineries now.
John McCain is being bold in telling us to drill now and build refineries none have been built in 30 years. The DNC is controlled by environmental predators like the Sierra Club who want to ruin our nation.
Obama just like the Democrats who run Congress won't lift a finger to help us get more oil just wants to make big oil look bad. He is an empty suit just pandering for votes from many people who know nothing about the issues. His idea of a windfall tax on oil companies would only make us pay more at the pump.
Obama if elected would be Jimma Carter Jr. Look for high taxes, malaise across the nation, gasless Sundays, gas rationing and 22.5 percent interest rates. It was Obama's buddy Carter who deposed the Shah and gave us a nation of Jihadists like Mahmoud! Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | June 20, 2008 9:59 AM
We can thank the Republicans, once again, for their major contribution to the dismal appraisal by the American public. If they could only put aside their agenda, which they seem to be doing, now that they know which way the political winds are blowing. It is unfortunate that they weren't motivated by the great needs of America, instead of their own agenda. I think they will suffer some losses, come November, for their shortsightedness !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 20, 2008 10:02 AM
Democrats are the blind (House & Senate majority)leading the blind (Don Fitzgerald and friends).
Hey dems, you need to come up with a new trick. The expiration date on your only trick (civil rights) has long since expired. You've been wrong on 100% of your policies since then.
Posted by: rck | June 20, 2008 10:35 AM
I. Find. It. Rich that the Republic Party controlled Congress for a majority of the Bush terms and we find ourselves paying $4.25 for a gallon of gas. This Republican Congress had the numbers to pass legislation calling French Fries Freedom Fries but they could not open up areas for poking holes in the ground. This tells me that they know it was bad policy then, otherwise they would've done it, or they hate Americans and love Oil Companies and think calling French Fries Freedom Fries is more important.
Posted by: jackson | June 20, 2008 11:51 AM
Jackson,
When republicans lost control of congress on Jan 4, 2007, the national average price for a gallon of gas was $1.49 and the price for a barrel of crude oil was under $56. In only 18 MONTHS of democrat stewardship we have gas at $4.07/gallon and oil selling for $136/bbl. Now that's CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!
Posted by: DF | June 20, 2008 12:59 PM
DF,
Nice red herring. How did Republicans have the votes to call French Fries Freedom Fries but they couldn't lift bans on of-shore drilling and exploration in ANWR? Maybe you can address that.
Posted by: jackson | June 20, 2008 1:33 PM
Hey, " DF ", quit peddling that snake oil, let alone, unverifiable gasoline prices, to bolster your nonsensical statements!! You, Republicans, will say what ever it takes to fool us, voters. You really don't think anyone will accept statements concerning Republican arguments without verification ? Those days are long gone. Too much damage has been done to America based on false and misleading statements, presented by the Republican Party and President Bush !!
SUPPORT OUR TROPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 20, 2008 1:48 PM
jackson, I can address that. As recent as 2005, Senate Democrats filibustered the opening of drilling in ANWR. Senate Republicans didn't have 60 votes to break it.
Posted by: Herbie H. | June 20, 2008 2:52 PM
Herbie H.,
Some Republipukes obviously crossed over and joined the Democrats in filibuster. Who were they?
Posted by: jackson | June 20, 2008 3:42 PM
To: math challenged jackson:
There were only 55 Republican Senators back in 2005 at the time referred to by Herbie H. Senate rules specify that it takes a vote of 60 senators to cut off debate and end a filibuster. Thus, with only 55 votes (5 short of the needed 60 votes), senate Republicans didn't have the votes to end the filibuster. No Republicans had to cross over to join the Democrats in their filibuster for the Republicans to lose out. Do you get it now?
Posted by: John W. | June 20, 2008 4:29 PM
Lincoln Chafee and Mike DeWine
Posted by: jackson | June 20, 2008 5:31 PM
To: jackson,
* * * * *
You still don't get it, do you? With or without Chafee or DeWine, the Republicans didn't have the 60 votes necessary to stop the Democrats' filibuster and bring the matter to an up and down vote. Without the filibuster, and regardless of the fact that Chafee and DeWine crossed over (as you suggest), the Republicans would have had the votes to win had the Democrats not filibustered the matter. Thus, the loss of the issue by the Republicans was due entirely to the recalcitrance of the Democrats. You can't get out of it.
Posted by: John W. | June 20, 2008 6:46 PM
DUMB IRISHMAN FITZ & Jackson,
DF is a little off on his numbers, but his point is valid and is definitely not a red herring. Gas Prices from $2.29 to $3.81 and climbing. Nice job Nancy.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/mg_tt_usM.htm.
Go find any economic statistic that is better now than when the democrats took over Congress. Unemployment? Inflation? Foreclosures?
http://www.bls.gov/
That 12% approval rating is family, friends and staff. Clean house in Congress.
Time to get rid of Dodd, Conrad, and Jefferson (democrat Louisiana), etc... with their sweetheart deals or flat-out thievery. I think (hope?)the GOP has l;earned its lesson about earmarks and wasteful spending.
Posted by: Terry | June 20, 2008 9:47 PM
VJ Machiavelli,The voice of the Gods and all things in between, I will keep you ahead of the curve in that Brave New World that is coming, and in the day to day world of politics.
Why should anyone listen to another whack job who thinks he gets his marching orders froim God?
Posted by: Doug "Hussein" Zook | June 20, 2008 10:40 PM