A new Gallup poll shows that the biggest problem facing Americans is no longer inflation but the government.
Key Details
- In a recent Gallup poll of the “Most Important U.S. Problem,” the “government” overtook “inflation” as the most important problem facing Americans for the month of January.
- Respondents said the top problem facing America is the government (21%), inflation (15%), immigration (11%), the economy (10%), unity (6%), race relations (5%), and poverty (5%).
- Even as inflation topped 6.5% in December, Americans’ concerns about the government raised 6% from the month of December.
- Respondents from both major parties—24% of Republicans and 18% of Democrats—rated the government as the greatest current problem.
Why It’s Important
Americans are relatively optimistic about the job market at the moment. Despite recession fears and widespread tech layoffs, unemployment only hit 3.5% in December, and the average worker is expressing optimism that they will not lose their jobs in the coming months.
This stands in stark contrast to the state of the U.S. government, which has faced chaos since the beginning of the new session of Congress on January 3.
As Gallup suggests, the poll concluded on January 22, just two weeks after the GOP voted in House Speaker McCarthy after a week of failed votes on the floor of Congress. It is also coming after the discovery of classified information at the personal home of President Joe Biden.
Biden has also committed recently to shipping U.S. military hardware to support the war in Ukraine, a move that resulted in the official doomsday clock being pushed 90 seconds to midnight—warning of increased nuclear tensions with Russia.
Notable Quote
“Americans’ mentions of the government as the nation’s most important problem have risen significantly in the past month, while inflation remains the next most-cited issue. Fewer name the economy in general, yet when asked about the economy directly, Americans continue to lack confidence in its current and future health,” says Gallup.