This is pretty depressing when you stop and think that the underpinnings of our republic depend on a citizenry who believes they have a say in government.

Rasmussen's findings belie that notion:

Democrats are happier with the status quo than Republicans and voters not affiliated with either of the major parties when it comes to the current Congress and the federal government.

One of the central tenets of the Declaration of Independence is that governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed." Only 22% of the nation's likely voters believe the government today has such consent.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds a wide partisan gap on the question. Democrats are evenly divided as to whether or not the government has the consent needed for legitimacy. Only eight percent (8%) Republicans and 21% of unaffiliated voters believe it does.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Exit question for discussion in the comments: Is there anyway to reverse this trend or are we doomed to live under a government that most citizens believe is operating without the people's consent?