WASHINGTON — Only 22% of all Americans surveyed said they trusted the government in Washington almost always or most of the time — among the lowest measures in half a century — according to a Pew Research Center survey released Sunday night. The results point to ‘a perfect storm’ of public unrest, Pew reports, ‘a dismal economy, an unhappy public, bitter, partisan-based backlash and epic discontent with Congress and elected officials.’ Growing numbers of people want government’s power curtailed, Pew reports of a March and April survey that found ‘less of an appetite for government solutions to the nation’s problems — including more government control over the economy — than there was when Barack Obama first took office.’ ‘The public’s hostility toward government seems likely to be an important election issue favoring the Republicans this fall,’ Pew said. ‘However, the Democrats can take some solace in the fact that neither party can be confident that they have the advantage among such a disillusioned electorate. Favorable ratings for both major parties, as well as for Congress, have reached record lows while opposition to congressional incumbents, already approaching an all-time high, continues to climb.’ There have been political […]