Federal Manager's Daily Report

Views regarding the federal government among the public continue to decline, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center, with only a fifth saying that government programs are well run and only the same share saying they trust the government most or all of the time.

The decline in trust is consistent across demographic distinctions by age, income, educational levels and ethnicity, it said, adding that the overall mood is more one of frustration with the government than anger.

Opinions of efficiency were lowest regarding how the government manages immigration, helps people out of poverty and ensures basic income for senior citizens, with less than half saying the government is doing a good job in those areas. The highest ratings were for responding to natural disasters, setting workplace standards, ensuring safe food and medicine and anti-terrorism, each more than 70 percent positive.

While there are partisan differences regarding both the effectiveness and proper role of government, “there is bipartisan agreement that the federal government should play a major role in dealing with terrorism, natural disasters, food and medicine safety, and roads and infrastructure,” it said, adding that of the 13 functions listed, majorities said the government should have a major role in dealing with each except advancing space exploration.