http://www.ocregister.com/articles/government-318932-gallup-americans.html Poll: How much money does government waste? Most Americans think the federal government wastes more than half of the tax dollars it collects, according to a recent Gallup Poll. On average, the guesstimate of waste is 51 cents of every dollar, the highest level going back at least 32 years that Gallup has been asking the question. "It is not clear whether Americans believe government wastes money because it spends on programs they believe are not needed or because it does not spend money efficiently on programs whether needed or not," Gallup said. And Americans don't think state and local governments are much better. On average, states waste 42 cents per tax dollar and local government wastes 38 cents, respondents believe. "Americans have viewed the federal government as being the most wasteful of tax dollars each time Gallup has asked these questions," Gallup said. Gallup equates belief in government waste with level of trust people have in government, which has fallen from 60% in 2002 to 19% in 2010. "Over time, Americans have become increasingly likely to see all levels of government as being wasteful of tax dollars," Gallup says. "Americans now believe all levels of government waste at least 11 cents more on the dollar compared with 1979."
barfo's becoming the extremist in his position. 19% level of trust in the govt. I'd say 19% is the extremists.
I'm happy to be the extremist on this one. Anyone who thinks 50% is waste either has an overly broad definition of waste (waste is anything I disagree with, maybe?), or is a dumbass. barfo