[Perspective] Over 80% of Americans believe that officials don’t care what they think
China Daily, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The Pew Research Center recently published an article saying that compared with people in many other countries, Americans are more likely to believe that most officials don't care what the people think. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in spring 2023 showed that more than 8 in 10 U.S. adults think so, compared with a median of 74% among the 24 countries surveyed.
Another survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in July 2023 showed that 85% of Americans said that most officials do not care what they think.
Why do Americans feel this way? In surveys conducted in June and July 2023, Pew Research Center also asked a broader set of questions about the U.S. political system. Overall, Americans generally distrust the system and question whose interests it serves.
![[Perspective] Over 80% of Americans believe that officials don’t care what they think](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/d5d2ac2f5add3c65c4ed663eeecfa6c4.webp)
For example, only 4% of Americans think the current political system is working very well or very well, and only a handful are confident about its future. Americans have long been "frustrated" with the federal government, with only 16% trusting the government to do the right thing most of the time.
These feelings have, in part, to do with how Americans view officials and their reasons for serving. Seven in 10 Americans say ordinary people have too little influence on decisions made by members of Congress. And most agree that big employers, lobbyists and special interest groups, as well as wealthy donors, have too much influence in their districts.
When asked what Americans think motivates today's officials, 63% said most or all of them are running because they want to make a lot of money. By comparison, only 15% said most or all of them wanted to serve the public. 85% said the cost of political campaigns makes it difficult for talented people to run for office.
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