Jaded view of U.S. government deters many from political involvement, survey finds

A Monmouth University poll finds that a dim view of the federal government is affecting Americans’ desire to get involved in politics.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans surveyed acknowledge the importance of politics, said poll director Patrick Murray, but only 25 percent believe it’s very important to get personally involved.

“We find that 54 percent of Americans say that they can be more effective in the world around them by getting involved in nonpolitical activities,” he said. “Just 28 percent say that being involved in government and elections is the way to go in order to effect change in their communities.”

Half of those surveyed believe the federal government is hurting rather than helping their lives, Murray said.

“That doesn’t mean that Washington is dead and gone for most people. In fact 69 percent of those who say it has a negative impact say it can be fixed, but I don’t think they see that as happening in near future which is why most people feel that it’s better for them to be involved in nonpolitical activities if they actually want to make a difference.”

Most of the participants in the poll believe U.S. government is spending too much effort interfering in what the average citizen can do and is not doing enough to promote a moral society, create jobs, and provide a safety net for the poor.