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Takket

(22,778 posts)
Fri Nov 22, 2024, 06:17 PM Nov 22

Why do people hate the government so much? [View all]

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/06/24/public-trust-in-government-1958-2024/

See the graphs for yourself.

Almost everyone hates the government. Other than a blip after the 9/11 attacks, less than half of the country has trusted the government to "do what is right just about always/most of the time" since right around the time of Watergate. and that number has been in the 20%s or less for the last 17 years.

I guess I have a more optimistic view although it is highly dependent, obviously, on which party is in power.

It's no wonder that drumpf is able to build a presidency on the concept of destroying the government. That sounds pretty appealing when 80% don't like the government. My dislike is mostly centered on the worst actors. I break down my opinions to individuals and don't broad brush the entire government because if it. Government is great when we put the right people in charge of it. They are the referee in the game of America.

when it is dysfunctional (rethugs in control) I want them voted out, but i don't want our institutions torn apart.

I don't think most people feel that way. I think most believe all politicians are the same, just trying to swindle us. Also that government is completely useless. it is just a big black hole that their tax dollars goes in, and nothing useful ever comes out. And that's why so many are happy to vote for someone who will destroy it. When we point out how drumpf's cabinet is filled with NO ONE who will know how to manage these departments, a lot of people WANT it that way. "Fire everyone! Get rid of the red tape! get rid of the bureaucracy! Get rid of it all!"

Plenty of people that voted for drumpf don't like him, but they like "government" even less, and if he can destroy, they think their lives will improve.

A whole lot of people are about to find out the hard way that that is not how this is going to go down.

When the ecoli outbreak happens, and no one from the CDC is there to ID the source and issue a recall, 100 people are going to die instead of 5.

When measles starts ripping through your child's middle school and you realize it is too late to get the vaccine now.

When our military is challenged by our enemies because we've weakened our fighting force by banning women and firing our generals.

When that infrastructure job you were working on vanishes because the funding got pulled.

When inflation roars back to life because farmers can't find workers to pick their crops.

When tariffs put the cost of a car out of reach.

When DOJ goes after all the "deep state" people only to find they have no evidence to indict anyone with

Maybe then people will finally understand government is fine, it is the right wing people you elect to that make it dysfunctional.

But I doubt it.
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They love them some kacekwl Nov 22 #1
Yep. Everyone loves and insists on the regulations that apply to their neighbours meadowlander Nov 22 #9
This! Dem4life1234 Nov 22 #10
'Hates?' More like isn't aware of what 'government' does, elleng Nov 22 #2
I agree. A lot of people are ignorant of what government is and isn't. Does and doesn't do. Solly Mack Nov 22 #3
Yes, and a large ForgedCrank Nov 22 #26
True. Many of the uniformed have been elected. Solly Mack Nov 22 #41
Two words, one asshole: Ronald Reagan. Elessar Zappa Nov 22 #4
Yep, he's Ground Zero for much of GoCubsGo Nov 22 #46
Rightwing propaganda works dlk Nov 22 #5
It works especially well when there is no effective counter-propaganda. DJ Synikus Makisimus Nov 22 #50
The Soros Foundation has made a good start by purchasing over 200 radio stations, in over 40 markets dlk Nov 23 #55
I give credit to the right wing for understanding that. I despise them for making use of it. dgauss Nov 22 #51
I wonder what percentage of people who stillcool Nov 22 #6
When you ask Americans point by point if they'd like Mike 03 Nov 22 #7
In chaos they will steal. MomInTheCrowd Nov 22 #19
They were brainwashed by Reagan, repeated the lie 24 hours a day for 50+ years. Initech Nov 22 #8
Yes! ShazzieB Nov 22 #24
I remember the quote and..... SupportSanity Nov 22 #35
I see 4 things, but that is just me... Scalded Nun Nov 22 #11
AMEN. nt ancianita Nov 22 #16
My only issue with the government SickOfTheOnePct Nov 22 #12
There's waste because of (necessary) redundancy and obsolescence haele Nov 22 #17
You're welcome SickOfTheOnePct Nov 22 #32
Funding of technology was always a nightmare slightlv Nov 22 #40
That's pretty nonspecific dpibel Nov 22 #54
There is always too much money for Weapons IbogaProject Nov 22 #13
Pew puts good numbers to good questions. Thanks! ancianita Nov 22 #14
Lost of these same people **LOVE** the government when disaster hits uponit7771 Nov 22 #15
When There's A Major Disaster Deep State Witch Nov 22 #18
I've already been thinking that, in light of this years slightlv Nov 22 #42
Why do people hate the government so much? MLWR Nov 22 #20
One guy digging, two leaning on shovels... MomInTheCrowd Nov 22 #21
We've gone generations without a true American Statesman as Prez. slightlv Nov 22 #43
It's the repeated lie. Even back when Reagan said, surfered Nov 22 #22
The nation should have paid attention to the ten scariest words. Xavier Breath Nov 22 #23
I'll likely ForgedCrank Nov 22 #25
They hate government because Rupert told them to. rubbersole Nov 22 #27
Because the GOP conned Democrats into neoliberalism applegrove Nov 22 #28
Oh, how I agree! slightlv Nov 22 #44
I think it is more politicians WalkerinSC Nov 22 #29
Easy target. Don't need to get specific just point out there. Raven123 Nov 22 #30
I believe Ronald Ray Gun started this with "The government is the problem." GreenWave Nov 22 #31
And then big mouth Limbaugh took it and ran with it. Conjuay Nov 22 #49
How many of them sent back their stimulus checks from the government? In It to Win It Nov 22 #33
MAGA only hates government that tries to help and protect people not like them. nt Jit423 Nov 22 #34
Retired Federal worker with 38 years of IT Pas-de-Calais Nov 22 #36
I had one instructor come through our IT door, slightlv Nov 22 #45
Because the world has problems qazplm135 Nov 22 #37
Really great question. I personally have no squabbles. All in all, State, Federal and Local are doing pretty well IMHO Evolve Dammit Nov 22 #38
Don't overthink it. The GOP has deliberately broken government from doing anything but passing tax cuts for the rich. usonian Nov 22 #39
People have been being brainwashed for decades Crunchy Frog Nov 22 #47
TLDR DiamondShark Nov 22 #48
Comyunizum!!! moondust Nov 22 #52
Barry Goldwater and the Two Santas WhiteTara Nov 22 #53
Because goverments are largely construction of the... Edim Nov 23 #56
Because oligarchs have convinced them to do so. Straw Man Nov 23 #57
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