1. Public Attitudes
October 17, 2017

2. Overview
People are unhappy with the way things are going right now in the United States.
People lack confidence in elected officials.
People don’t trust the government to do the right thing.

3. In general, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time?

4. No Satisfaction

5. How much of the time do you think you can trust government in Washington to do what is right– just about always, most of the time, only some of the time, or never?

6. No Trust

7. System is Dysfunctional
Do you think the current political system in the United States is basically functional or basically dysfunctional?
Functional: 33 %
Dysfunctional: 64 %

8. Government Poses Immediate Threat
What happened here?
A Democrat became president.

9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?

10. Congress is Unpopular

11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

12. Latest survey shows 32 percent approve while 67 percent disapprove.

13. Question
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party/Republican Party?

14. Parties

15. Confidence

16. What does it mean?
The high level of distrust in government officials makes it more difficult for the president and Congress to address the nation’s problems because the public will withhold support for any programs they propose or solutions they adopt. Public negativity makes it easier to oppose policy proposals than to support them.

17. What We Have Learned
How do Americans feel about the direction of the country?
Do Americans have confidence in the institutions of government?
Do Americans have confidence in political leaders?
How does the lack of confidence in government and officials impact the ability of the government to address problems?