Gallup Poll: Government a ‘Threat’ to Americans

Nearly half of Americans believe the federal government poses “an immediate threat” to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens, a new Gallup poll reveals.

A bare majority — 51 percent — of poll respondents said they do not believe the government poses a threat, while 46 percent said it does.

When that 46 percent were asked in “what ways” it presented a threat, 18 percent said “too many laws/government too big in general,” 17 percent said “too much involvement in people’s private lives,” 15 percent cited “taking away freedom of speech/violating First Amendment,” and 11 percent said “healthcare law.”

Back in 2002, only 39 percent of those polled believed the government posed a threat.

“An expanded proportion of Americans in 2010 believe the government has overstepped its bounds, growing too intrusive and too powerful,” Gallup said.

In the new poll released on Wednesday, 66 percent of Republicans said the government posed a threat to freedoms, compared to just 21 percent of Democrats.

The Gallup survey also found that 59 percent of respondents believe the federal government has too much power, while just 8 percent think it has too little power.

Similarly, 58 percent of respondents said the government is doing too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses, and 49 percent said there is too much government regulation of business and industry.