Gallup: Americans Say Biggest Problem Facing Country In 2014 Was… Government

For several years, the American people have believed the economy to be the most important issue facing the nation. And now for the first time ever, Americans said that the political class inhabiting Washington, D.C. was the most alarming issue for them in 2014.

An average of about 18 percent of the American public said “government/Congress/politicians” was the country’s biggest problem, according to a new Gallup survey released Friday. Another 17 percent of the people said the “economy in general,” followed by 15 percent who said “unemployment/jobs” were the biggest issues.

Another 10 percent said “healthcare.”

Immigration barely registered as an all-important issue in Gallup’s 2014 year-end poll.

Other issues like the federal deficit, ethics and morality, education, poverty, and race relations also registered very little concern among Americans.

2014 was the first year that distrust and dissatisfaction with the federal government was the top issue, according to Gallup, and the first time since 2007 that the “economy” didn’t top the list.