Civic dissatisfaction is a widespread, bipartisan phenomenon these days. Polls regularly find that a large percentage of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction, and confidence in public institutions remains anemic.
A Gallup survey last year found that a paltry 9 percent of Americans had a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in Congress, compared with 55 percent who had “only a little” or “none.” The presidency fared better, but was hardly a standout—36 percent expressed much confidence in it and the same number had little or none. Even the Supreme Court, which has carefully cultivated an above-the-fray reputation, only drew 36 percent of Americans saying they had strong faith in it.
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