Headlines
In recent years, the greatest failures of government have been in the economy and foreign policy, and public opinion polls demonstrate overwhelming distrust of both Republicans and Democrats on these issues. According to recent headlines on the Daily Beast Cheat Sheet, almost all stories about the local, state and federal governments as well as politicians and the political process as a whole, reflect a mostly negative, cynical and distrustful public mood. Every since the days of Vietnam and Watergate, such lack of confidence in government has been commonplace and shows up in poll after poll, decade after decade. In general, ordinary Americans regard government as corrupt, unconcerned with their problems and ineffective at dealing with them. In the last two days, for instance, headlines like "Obama, GOP Clash over Debt Limit" and "Stocks Plunge on Economic News" reflect this widespread loss of trust and confidence, especially given the fact that unemployment and home foreclosures remain at high levels while federal bailouts and stimulus funds have mostly seemed to benefit large banks and corporations rather than the average person. High debt levels and budget deficits, an unfair tax system, the power of lobbyists and campaign donors, all combine to increase distrust in government.
In addition, ongoing scandals with public officials, such as Congressman Anthony Weiner's inability to explain exactly how semi-nude pictures were sent to his friends on Twitter ("Weiner: 'I Didn't Send the Pictures") are also a regular feature of political life. Although former Alaska...
Scandals plagued her term as governor -- a
position she resigned after only two years -- and the most recent headline of "Alaska to Release Palin Emails" may very well generate even more negative publicity for her when these become known. Palin may or may not be a candidate for president next year, but her questionable record on
ethics and insatiable desire for
money and publicity generate widespread distrust outside of her hardcore supporters. In foreign policy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan long ago lost public support, and new headlines like "UN: Libyan Rebels
4
Guilty of War Crimes" will certainly remind the voters that they do not want the U.S. To become involved in another
war in a Muslim country. Not since Vietnam has public distrust of American military and foreign policy been so high, and in light of the poor economy and budget deficits, most people would prefer to scale these back and concentrate on domestic problems.
Given the widespread public distrust of government on the economy and
foreign affairs, and doubts about the
integrity and ability of political leaders, finding positive and optimistic stories is…
