Econintersect: The latest national survey reported by the Pew Foundation found that more than half of the 1,502 adults surveyed think that the federal government threatens their rights. The survey taken 9-13 January 2013 determined that 53% thought the government was threatening, up from 47% nearly three years ago. Pew says that surveys taken between 1995 and 2003 all had majorities rejecting the proposition.
Conservative Republicans (76%), all Republicans (70%) and gun owners (62%) were the three groups with the largest numbers feeling threatened.
The survey also found that congressional favorability is at an all-time low.
More than half of those surveyed said the problem was not the political system; the current members of Congress are the problem. The results for this opinion were the same across all political affiliations: Republicans, Democrats and Independents were all between 56% and 58%.
For some deeper history the following shows how trust in government has varied since World War II.
Click on graph to go to interactive info graphic at Pew research Center.
Source:
- Majority Says the Federal Government Threatens Their Personal Rights (Pew Research Center, 31 January 2013)
Hat tip to Russell Huntley.