What Do Americans Think About Their Government Essay

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1. What do Americans think about their government? Ever since politics was established, Americans have been unwilling to allocate too much control to the government. Most Americans were (and are still) hesitant to give ultimate authority to a central government, fearing the possibility of an oligarchic government. However, over the course of history, Americans have turned to the government for help in times of need or during a state of panic. For example, during the 1933 Great Depression and stock market crash of 1929, the government made an effort to assist the people. To relieve the tension of a panic induced society, Congress passed a legislation that would bring government into the business of mortgages, credit, etc., hoping to alleviate personal anxiety. Also, in more recent news, when the financial system was on the brink of falling into a deep recession, the federal government implanted billions of dollars into the faltering economy. On a daily basis, citizens depend on many elements, which are provided by the government. Few people know how important government is to their everyday life. Plus, most Americans take for granted many policies and services that are implemented by the government. Services include: food, (inspected for safety by the FDA), TV (networks are regulated by the federal government), transportation (roads provided …show more content…
As a result of a diminishing public trust, Americans feel the inability to influence the government. In the 1960s, three-fourths of the public displayed trust in the government. Sadly, this number declined by 1994, when only twenty-one percent of those surveyed exhibited trust, while three-fourths of the public displayed distrust. Several cultural groups (ex. African Americans and Latinos) have displayed a pattern of confidence in the federal government. However, Caucasians have exhibited the majority of

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