Americans name dissatisfaction with US government as top problem: Poll

Over one in five American adults cite dissatisfaction with the US government and political leadership as the most important problem facing the country, while less than a third are satisfied with the US direction, according to a new poll.

The Gallup poll found that 21 percent of those surveyed name dissatisfaction with government and poor leadership as the country’s top problem.

Disapproval of the government was by far the problem US adults most frequently mention, followed by frustration with healthcare, immigration and the economy.

Americans have often named government dissatisfaction as the top problem in the nation. The current level of dissatisfaction with the government is the highest since October 2013 to January 2014 after the partial government shutdown that October.

The only other period during Gallup's polling history when a higher percentage of Americans cited government as the most important problem was in 1973 and 1974 during the Watergate crisis.

With US President Donald Trump in the White House, satisfaction with the way things are going has not risen to levels higher than those seen during the administration of former President Barack Obama.

“With a new presidential administration in office, the government has again emerged as the top problem in the country,” Gallup said.

“Much of the increase in dissatisfaction stems from negativity toward the president, as substantial percentages of Americans simply say "Donald Trump" when asked to name the most important problem facing the country,” it said.

US satisfaction remains low

Overall, satisfaction with the way things are going in the US remains low, at 32 percent. The last time satisfaction was over 50 percent was in January 2004.

Americans’ chronic dissatisfaction with the government and the nation’s direction may be a result of divisive politics and a never-ending news cycle filled with partisan media, Gallup noted.

Read More:

• Americans' dissatisfaction rises sharply
• US satisfaction with country low: Poll

Trump was one of the most unpopular candidates ever to get elected president. His main opponent in the 2016 presidential election race, Hillary Clinton, also had high unfavorable ratings.

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