A record-high number of Americans say they are dissatisfied with the way the nation is being governed, a new poll says.

An overwhelming majority of respondents, 81 percent, said that they are not satisfied with the governance of the country, compared to 19 percent who are satisfied, according to Gallup.

“Americans’ various ratings of political leadership in Washington add up to a profoundly negative review of government — something that would seem unhealthy for the country to endure for an extended period,” Gallup wrote. “Nevertheless, with another budget showdown looking inevitable and a contentious presidential election year getting underway, it appears the ratings reviewed here could get worse before they improve.”

Dissatisfaction with the government is a relatively new trend. As recently as 2003, 59 percent were satisfied with the way the nation is being governed, compared to 39 percent who were not.

Especially frustrated in the latest poll were Republicans, 92 percent of whom were dissatisfied with the governance of the nation, while 65 percent of Democrats were similarly dissatisfied.

A majority of Americans – 53 percent – also have lost confidence in the people who are running for or hold elected office.

A key source for this lack of confidence is the legislative branch of government, of which 69 percent of those surveyed said they had little or no confidence, a figure that is up from 63 percent in 2010.

The Gallup poll also showed a record high number of people who thought that the federal government posed an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens, with 49 percent agreeing with the sentiment, and only 50 percent disagreeing. The number who agreed with the sentiment was as low as 30 percent in 2003.

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