Washington DC's Problem: No one Trusts Government

Washington Examiner: Why Americans no longer trust Washington:

Survey after survey in recent months has shown an alarming decline in public confidence in the nation's chief federal institutions, as well as a deepening pessimism about America's future. Congressional approval is at an all-time low of 13 percent, according to the Gallup Poll, and three-quarters of the public wouldn't re-elect most members of Congress. There is cold comfort in the numbers for President Obama. Barely 41 percent of the public approves of his job performance, according to Gallup. Most worrisome is the fact that a majority of Americans, 52 percent, told pollster Scott Rasmussen this week that they believe the country's best days are behind it, the first time a majority has so responded.

While I'm not surprised at these results, it is disappointing. Read the whole article which examines some of the reasons why Americans no longer trust Washington.

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Is America a Waning Empire?

The Guardian: Decline and fall of the American empire:

Let me put an alternative hypothesis. America in 2011 is Rome in 200AD or Britain on the eve of the first world war: an empire at the zenith of its power but with cracks beginning to show.

There are quite a few similarities, though there are some differences, too. Read the whole thing.