Half of all expenditures by the federal government are wasted, according to Americans surveyed by Gallup. The level of cynicism with regard to how Washington spends taxpayer dollars is now at an all-time high, with respondents believing 50% of all allocations are not well spent. Thirty years ago, when Gallup first asked the question of Americans, the belief was that 40 cents of every dollar was wasted. Americans are less cynical about wasteful spending by state and local officials. State government is perceived to blow 42 cents of every dollar, while cities and counties waste only 37 cents.
                                                                                                                                                          -Noel Brinkerhoff

Americans: Uncle Sam Wastes 50 Cents on the Dollar (by Lydia Saad, Gallup)