Do you think Americans are suffering a "Crisis In Trust"?

Doug Macdonald — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:16:54 -0500

In 2016, do you believe our government has your best interest in mind? Do you Trust them? What about Banks, Charitable Organization, Corporate America or the 1%, do you trust them? All the institutions that we trusted over the years are being called into question. Who do you TRUST?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 7:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:20:12 -0500

Of course the government doesn't have our best interest in mind. When some people wish to take from those who have worked and give it to those who haven't, well, I have a huge problem with that.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 18 at 2016 7:32 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:32:39 -0500

Certainly not the govt is I a trustworthy position

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Feb 19 at 2016 2:01 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:01:33 -0500

Doug Macdonald I've personally had a problem in trusting our government and political figures for over the last 20 to 30 years. Ever since Bill Clinton had an affair with a woman in the white house as the Commander in Chief and POTUS, I've had real hard time trusting the civilian leadership in this country, as well as the constant wasteful spending of our Federal Government. There are some things they done correctly, but maybe it's just me. Everytime I turn on the news or read an article there is government waste, fraud, and power abuse, etc. How can the normal individual ever really trust those we're electing when this continues to happen on a regular basis. Just my opinion - maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way or maybe I'm looking at it with blinders on!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 19 at 2016 2:35 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:35:20 -0500

The government is the least of our problems. It is precisely the government that We the People want. We keep electing and reelecting them, Don't we. If you want to see the real problem, look in a mirror. Did the person there do everything they could to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution? Obviously, We haven't, have we?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Feb 19 at 2016 3:02 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 15:02:46 -0500

In God I trust, the military I believe in, and anyone else gets verified. When it comes to government, they stopped believing in us a long time ago. The moment a candidate realized there was power to be had, and money to be made, all they had to do was add a few lies that sound good, memorize speeches and wait to be voted in, our fates were sealed. At the same time, they figured out how to stay in office damn near till death. Now we're looking at a new type of candidate. One who knows how to prey on fears, and sound like he can solve them all by themselves. Todays candidates seem to have taken McCarthyism to the next level. Instead of being either a productive American or Communist, you're Christian, Jew or the dreaded Muslim. There seems to be a new name to label someone to make them completely different than you, and then you're expected to fear them. The point of government was to take care of the populace. They are in office to represent their constituents and ensure their needs are met along with the rest of the countries. That's not happening. Special interest groups, billionaires, foreign groups, damn near everyone BUT the American that is directly affected matters. We the People have become We the divided, and are more afraid of being unified than we are of the senseless fear mongering our elected officials push as part of a "control" agenda regardless of party. If America really wants to be "whole" again and not just on a map, we need to take back the power that elected officials think we're not "worthy enough" to hold onto. We need representatives who look like us (no not in regards to race), breathe the same air as us, eat the same meals as us, know the same struggles as us, everything they're not now. Hold them to the standards they lay onto us. Let them know we can and will make do without you, and can replace you with someone else at anytime. I can guarantee if those we elect knew that at ANY point their job is on the line much like ours, a LOT will change.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 19 at 2016 3:51 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 15:51:59 -0500

It feels like our country is comprised heavily by special interest groups who only see their parochial views.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 19 at 2016 7:54 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 19:54:33 -0500

I was raised to do what I said I would do, and not do what I said I would not do. I was also told that that was not possible all of the time. Sometimes you will become overcome by events. But the instant you knew it was no longer possible to live up to what you said, you let the people you said it to, know. I feel that all those institutions you listed above are no better or worse than they have ever been. What is different, is that we accept it.
No, I do not trust government. Even when officials mean well, they are bound by systems that do not allow them to account for individual circumstances. Those systems also protect them from any stink we raise as individuals. They are inherently blind to the law of unintended consequences.
The rest are easier to influence, if you are willing to raise a stink. The problem is that you have to weigh the rewards of making them mend their evil ways vs. the costs of your effort. Personally, I enjoy being a skunk.

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Feb 20 at 2016 9:43 AM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 09:43:22 -0500

I only trust family and a few freinds goverment not at all

Response by MSgt Mike Ruikka made Feb 21 at 2016 12:37 PM

MSgt Mike Ruikka — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 12:37:09 -0500

I think that Americans are waking up to the fact that our elected officials DO NOT represent the American people. Case in point is how well Donald Trump is doing. What it boils down to is if you, as a corporate entity, have the money, you have the power!

Response by COL Ted Mc made Feb 21 at 2016 1:45 PM

COL Ted Mc — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 13:45:05 -0500

Doug Macdonald - Mr. Macdonald; I would like to believe that the US government is still a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" but simply can't.

On the other hand, I can still trust the American people as people.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Feb 23 at 2016 3:51 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 15:51:27 -0500

I don't believe that anyone has my best interest in mind except me.