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. (More economic stimulus package stories.)