Americans see problems with many categories of public service delivery. In 2015, most people believed the government performed well concerning natural disaster responses, protecting against terrorism, and ensuring safe food and medicines. The government got very low marks for its management of the immigration system. By 2020, many people gave the government lower marks in several categories, including fighting terrorism, workplace standards, protecting the environment, and accessing healthcare. On the positive side, they also thought there was mild improvement in immigration management. All other categories earned a flashing yellow light. A new category, effectiveness in handling public health threats, was introduced in 2020 in response to the COVID19 pandemic. Seventy-eight percent of respondents thought the government should play a major role in this regard. Only 42 percent thought the government was doing a good job.
Excerpted from Political Trust and Distrust, Part 2 of 2. Free course. One paragraph per day.
Image: Federal Highway System.
