Over the years, our government has expanded dramatically, all with the objective of improving our lives.

Yet, with all of this, confidence that Americans express in our country and its major institutions has plummeted.

Of 18 of the nation’s major institutions, per a recent Gallup survey, there are only three in which 50% or more now express a “great deal or quite a lot” of confidence.

In 1979, an average of the 18 institutions — ranging from the military, the presidency and the Supreme Court to higher education, Congress and big business — stood at 50%.

By 2025, this was down to 28%.

Let’s consider the case of big business.

In 2025, 15% of Americans said they have a “great deal/quite a lot” of confidence in big business.

The Business Roundtable is an advocacy organization in Washing

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