Poll: Americans' Trust in Gov't Plummeted in '08

2008 wasn’t a great year for the federal government’s reputation, with a Politico poll finding that 62% of Americans say their confidence in Washington has decreased in the past year. The main worry is the economy: 45% say that economic stimulus should be the highest priority (no other issue gets more than 16%).

Even though they’re hoping for aggressive federal action on the economy, poll respondents don’t trust Washington to do it right. Only 5% said they have a “great deal” of trust that the government will manage its finances responsibly. Pluralities of respondents also expressed concern that tax hikes on the rich and corporations won’t go far enough.