Gallup: In America, Trust in "The American People" at New Low..

In U.S., Political Trust in "American People" at New Low

More or less, this poll is asking folks on how much they trust the WHOLE of the American people to make good political judgement.

Several interesting headlines from this poll:

• Democrats are the most trusting of the "American People" at 68%
• Republicans are the least trusting of the "American People" at 57%
• Independents are slightly more trusting of the "American People" at 59%
• In 2005, this was largely reversed, with Republicans being the most trusting and the Independents being the least trusting.

IMHO, the biggest headline is how much all three groups' level of trust has fallen in the last 8 years:

• Democrats- From 78% in 2005 to 68% today.
• Republicans- From 82% in 2005 to 57% today.
• Independents- From 74% in 2005 to 59% today.
• Just to state the obvious, Republicans experiences the greatest loss of "trust" in the American People in the last 8 years. 

While the reasons for this loss of trust could be argued from any political angle, I want to focus for a moment on the phrase, "the American people". The moment I read this poll, I was immediately reminded of an episode of Jon Stewart's The Daily Show from a few years ago in which he mocked the OVER use of this phrase by politicians and pundits..and he words still ring true today: 

"The American people" is a meaningless phrase that should be struck from public utterance along with, "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee." - Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

For your viewing pleasure..