We've Heard It, But Do We Believe It....'Trust Me!!!'
By Thomas D. Segel
February 12, 2009
The United States Senate said "Trust Me" and passed the pork filled spending bill they call a stimulus package. Wall Street trusted that action so much the stock market dropped 382 points.
But, trust in Congress or in the United States Government has been on a downward spiral for the past three decades. Seventy two percent of the nation's citizens report they have no trust in the entire Washington D.C. establishment. When Congress is singled out, 82% say they have no trust in the legislative branch of government.
What do individual Americans say about trust? John Boring is a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant living in Arizona. These are his words; " Do I trust government? No, not a bit. I don't trust politicians and I adamantly do not trust either the House of the Senate. I don't trust my butcher or the owner of the gas station where I pump my own gas. I don't trust anyone but my barber who gives me a good cut for a decent price. And, he's a transplanted Russian who speaks only marginally good English. I trust my wife and my family. I trust my very good friends and I trust my church. I believe in and I trust God. I don't trust my local newspaper or what I read in it. I don't trust anyone who knocks on my door trying to sell me something or ask me to donate to something. I don't trust charities, airlines or the oil industry. I don't trust the makers of the goods I buy".
John Boring reflects what most Americans seem to feel during this time of economic and governmental upheaval. Almost 80% of the population believes the federal government has too much power and they do not trust it to use that power wisely. They also see state and local governments expanding their powers in moves that also erode governmental trust.
Trust in individual politicians is in the cellar. Along with that feeling, according to a Reuter's poll, at least 50% of the population believes their political leaders are dishonest.
A Zogby poll conducted two years ago showed 72% of the people do not trust Congress, 58% do not believe the media, and 69% have no faith in corporate leaders.
Kevin Healey in Little Compton, Rhode Island, is even less trusting than most people today. He says, "The only person I trust is my wife and I know that she lies to me from time to time. But then I love her and she loves me. Trust is earned not demanded... You can respect but not trust. People are born liars. Politicians are liars on steroids. "
The majority of politicians are lawyers, so it is an interesting observation to see the public holds lawyers in the same disrepute as those in elected office. A full 80% of the public feels lawyers are dishonest and have no ethical standards. A recent Gallup poll ranks them even lower, with 83% of the population lacking any faith or trust in those who are in the legal profession.
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