78% of Americans Don't Trust Their Government

New survey shows many of us agree with S&P

(NEWSER) - Another day, another poll about how much we hate Congress . This latest poll shows, in particular, that just one in four of us believes the federal government can fix the economy. That's down 21 points from October, notes the Washington Post . And a whopping 71% of respondents believe S&P was right to take the United States' policymaking process to task when it downgraded our credit rating—although only 52% believe the downgrade was fair. More»

111th passed vast legislation in 'dysfunctional' environment

(NEWSER) - The 111th Congress adjourned last night, after passing more key legislation that affected more Americans than any since Lyndon Johnson’s 1960s “Great Society,” Bloomberg reports. That included $1.67 trillion spent to save the economy, health insurance for 32 million people, and new regulations on Wall Street; in the lame-duck session alone, there was the tax cut deal, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, START treaty ratification, and 9/11 health bill. More»

EJ Dionne: She deserves to stay in a leadership position

(NEWSER) - EJ Dionne thinks Nancy Pelosi is "one of the most effective speakers in history," and he's got no problem with her keeping a leadership role. "Yes, there are valid political reasons for House Democrats to change leaders," he writes in the Washington Post . "But there's an argument rooted in justice that the person who built their majority should have a shot at winning it back. And aren't Democrats tired of reflexively capitulating to the other side's narrative?" More»

John Boehner wants more transparency, less 'arrogance'

(NEWSER) - On Tuesday, Americans reminded Washington: “Government leaders are servants of the people; the people are not servants of their government,” writes John Boehner in the Wall Street Journal . After complaining about the culture of secrecy and "arrogance" in the current government, the next Speaker of the House lays out some clear rules for the next Speaker of the House:

• End earmarks. “The speaker of the House shouldn't use the power of the office to raid the federal Treasury for pork-barrel projects.”

Perriello loses in Virginia, Grayson in Florida

(NEWSER) - Nancy Pelosi's reign as House speaker will soon be over. Republicans will easily take control of the House of Representatives by night's end, say both CNN and NBC . The GOP entered the evening needing to gain 39 seats, and they'll likely end up with about 60, a development that will make John Boehner the next speaker. An emotional Boehner (see here ) called the outcome a "repudiation of Washington" and later took a congratulatory phone call from President Obama. More»