Why do Americans have such a negative and pessimistic view of our government?

Question

Shouldn't we trust that our politicians love their country and are working hard to improve it?

Answer 1

Part of it stems from the fact that this country was founded because of distrust of the government that we had under us before (the crown of England). Part of it is the fact that the United States federal government has ballooned into a huge bureaucracy that I don't think our founding fathers envisioned (not that they were perfect by any means).

Still, I agree that there are indeed plenty of smart individuals working hard to improve the government for sure.

Answer 2

Ideally, it would be nice to have that kind of faith in all politicians.

I expect that some do truly love their country & are doing their best with what they have; however, that cannot be the case all across the board.

The negativity has probably been compounded by the blunder in Iraq. George Bush said we needed to invade Iraq & people believed it, especially after the 9/11 tragedy.

Sorry to say that people started realizing something was fishy a little while after, like when the fact that there were NO Weapons of Mass Destruction was revealed. Most people on some level can tell if someone is telling them the truth, and now they know that things aren't quite what they were made out to be by the politicians.

Now, there are so many Americans dying everyday in Iraq, so many embarassing incidents involving U.S. personnel, and so much unrest all over the world that it's only natural for people to be suspicious. They were already led the wrong way once, and like that old saying goes, "First time, shame on you. Second time, shame on me."

Answer 3

Yes we should, it's hard to believe ANYONE, especially after 9/11 would want to get every dirt bag that caused a Meir thought of a threat to this country caught and dealt with accordingly to military law, instead the democrats are worried how the terrorist are being treated in Guantanamo bay, is that enough to make you sick. Do they care about the 3000 people that were killed on 9/11 and what about there family and friends who will never see them again. What about are there rights . That is what the president is trying to do ,but half of the country divides itself liberals just don't stand behind the president because there other view are different and they always will be but in a time like this , in no way should we be divided. They just want to make this harder that it already is. All they do is complain , that is what democrats do best. they should get a load of dog poo on a pollack and then stick there face in it. That's for the shame and the terrible way in which they will unite for the sake of there own country. But thumbs up to Jo Lieberman.... The only Democrat that did the right thing

Answer 4

A lot of them think that things like 9-11 was an inside job. Some of them just don't like Bush and are against everything he has done, especially the war.

And to david c, Bush stole the election how? By sticking with his opinions and not being a flip-flopping hippie? Kerry is good for about 2 things. Lying about his "3 Purple Hearts" and if you watched the Democratic Convention, apparently he gave CPR to a hamster. That has nothing to do with this country.

Answer 5

There are many aspect about the government that have become very suspect. Politicians just make promises to get elected. In my years I have seen very little follow up on the promises that are made. They do not represent the peoples interests at all. They all have their own agenda. Votes on vital matters can be swayed by payoffs, lobbyists as opposed to a politician following their hearts. There is too much mud slinging and pointing of fingers amongst the oppositions as opposed to actually getting anyhting important accomplished. Currently we are losing more and more rights that were originally gaurenteed to us by the Constitiution. This js just to name a few points.

Answer 6

The reasons vary. A good deal of it is Iraq. Some see the government as corrupt others see the response to many issues as incompetent. Many conservatives are still sour over Dubai Ports, Miers nomination, illegal immigration and runaway government spending. Liberals are mad about Iraq more than most.

There is a sense the government isn't on the right path.

http://pollingreport.com/right.htm

Answer 7

Well, you can't look at a pile of trash and call it a treasure chest exactly, can you?

Here's the deal. Being critical of the government is one of the things that makes an American an American. If we just blindly agree with everything our leaders do, why not just create a dictatorship? It's patriotic to criticize our government and our president, because it keeps them in line.

The truth is, most politicians in America are completely self-serving and owned by companies, and they are not acting in the interest of the public, but rather in the interest of their pocketbooks

Answer 8

We should only trust in GOD. I know some people who can't even trust in their own family members. And if you live long enough you will see why some Americans are so (negative) about our government, because it's good to spend billions for war and not spend it towards peace and feeding the poor and unemployed here in America. Yeah right.

Answer 9

Our politicians love for their country is second to their love for power. It's a human thing. Simply watching any politician shows that they change policies for votes instead for what's right. It doesn't matter what party you belong to or which country you live in, the older your democracy, the more selfish the politicians are(and the US is the oldest living constitutional democracy in the world).

Answer 10

we may have had leaders who have made be decisions in office but we need to remember who put them there. People who don't vote lose there right to complain, and if people don't like who is representing them, then maybe they should run for office themselves. I think if more people got off there butts and did more work towards there own goals and beliefs then maybe we wouldn't have anything to complain about at all.
So I say to the world, how do your actions and words affect others?
There should be no debate on weather troops should be over seas or not, I think that as long as they are there, they need to know that there country is proud of them.