Dissatisfied? No Way.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/10/AR2010021004708.html



According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released today "Two-thirds of Americans are 'dissatisfied' or downright 'angry' about the way the federal government is working." Whoa, hold the press, I mean this is news. And here I thought I alone was dissatisfied, turns out there's way more dissatisfaction. I'd venture to guess that I'm not the only person to think that calling what the federal government is doing "working" probably stretches the definition of the word substantially. 


Many would probably agree that much of the dissatisfaction comes from the observation that government doesn't seem to be working very much at all. Don't get me wrong, people are showing up for work and getting paid, but there don't seem to be many accomplishments to show for it. It probably doesn't help the federal government that it's letting most states go bankrupt and thus indirectly encouraging the reduction of services and payrolls to many Americans. And the inefficiencies of the Senate which have been extensively covered in the media don't encourage any sort of confidence.


Good news is that people recognize their dissatisfaction. Bad news is that this alone means nothing. Americans have been dissatisfied and angry before but real changes usually don't take effect unless the anger and dissatisfaction last for a significant period of time. In other words, most things don't change in government unless they absolutely have to (and even then...) Nevertheless, this is a democracy and if American discontent can realize and capitalize on this truth, there may still be hope.