Americans trust government on national security, not social issues

Americans are more comfortable with the government's ability to handle national security issues than social ones, a new poll for ABC News.com shows.

Half of those polled were asked whether they trusted those in Washington to do what is right on matters concerning national security and the war on terrorism, with 68 percent responding "just about always" or "most of the time." Thirty percent said that was the case "only some" or none of the time.

The other half of respondents were asked about their faith in government to do what is right when it comes to issues like the economy, health care, Social Security and education, and were markedly less supportive.

Thirty-eight percent said they could usually trust the government to make the correct decisions on social issues, while 61 percent said such faith was rarely or never warranted.

Terrorism Still Top Issue

When Congress returns later this month, what issues does the public think are most important for lawmakers to take up? According to the CNN/Gallup/USA Today poll, terrorism tops the list.

Pollsters asked respondents whether they thought various issues were "extremely," "very," "moderately" or "not that" important for Congress and President Bush to take up during the next year. Sixty-two percent said terrorism was extremely important. That was followed by education (46 percent), the economy (44 percent), the Social Security and Medicare systems (43 percent), military and defense issues (42 percent), prescription drugs (37 percent), foreign affairs (34 percent), taxes (30 percent), immigration (30 percent), the federal budget deficit (30 percent), a patients' bill of rights (29 percent), energy policies (25 percent) and an economic stimulus plan (25 percent).

Low Opinions On The Economy

Consumer confidence in the national economy remains low, according to this week's ABC News/Money poll. Two percent of respondents said the economy was "excellent," 30 percent said it was "good," 50 percent called it "not good," and 18 percent rated it as "poor."

How's Your Health Plan?

A plurality of Americans--38 percent--would give their health plan a "B" if they had to grade it, according to a Harris poll conducted in December. Twenty-nine percent said they would give their plan an "A," 23 percent said it deserved a "C," 4 percent rated it a "D," and 4 percent gave their plan a failing grade.