(Common Dreams) -- The conclusions of a new extensive survey released today by the Pew Research Center are not surprising to people who have followed our chronicling of the Populist Majority over the past two years: Solid majorities of Americans accept a significant role for government in ensuring a strong and fair economy, in ensuring access to quality education and health care, protecting the environment and in helping people get out of poverty.
But the survey also documents the deep distrust most Americans have across the political spectrum with the ability of government to serve the needs and interests of the people. It’s a testament to the success conservatives have had in driving a wedge between government and particularly working people, while insuring that government policies, with few exceptions, support the interests of big money. It is a testament, more specifically, to the impact of the conservative “wrecking ball” approach to governance, which has been more focused on obstructing, handcuffing or starving government programs than in working to make government more effective.