Young trust less in government

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A survey by bi-partisan pollsters finds Americans age 15 to 25 are losing their trust in government and their own ability to make a difference.

Democrat Celinda Lake and Republican Ed Goeas polled 1,000 Americans about their feelings on government in January 2000 and November 2003. Those who trusted government to do the right thing on the economy, Iraq and terrorism fell from 62 percent in 2000 to 50 percent last fall.

Many doubted their ability to effect change in their own community.

"While it's not fair to say it's a dark mood, there's no question young people continue to have questions about the direction of the country and doubt whether there are good plans to solve our problems," Goeas told USA Today.

The survey said politicians trying to reach the young should avoid a blizzard of e-mail and Web site ads and use chat rooms and Internet logs called "blogs."

Older Americans, the poll found, are regaining their skepticism in government in a return to normalcy following the patriotic outpouring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

The poll was conducted for the Center for Democracy and Citizenship and the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.