More Than 1/4 of Americans Really Don't Like Their Government Right Now

Twenty-six percent of Americans recently reported that they feel "angry" with the federal government. Half, 51 percent, say they are frustrated. And just 17 percent report that they are "basically content."

The Pew Research Center, which conducted the survey, says this is the highest level of anger they have reported, or at least since they started asking the question in 1997. The angriest right now are the conservative Republicans—41 percent of them are angry. The angriest of the angry are tea partiers, 50 percent of whom say they are angry.

The general trend is not surprising. The minority party in government tends to be angry when it is not in power. In October 2006, right before Democrats swept into power in the House and Senate, 44 percent of liberal Democrats reported that they were angry. But here's what's different: Even now, 18 percent of liberal Democrats are angry.

Another insight from the survey: Young Americans are tuning out coverage of the impending government shutdown. If you're reading this article with interest and are under the age of 30, you're in the minority. Congrats! Sixty-three percent of young people "say they are not following news about the government shutdown closely, including nearly half (46 percent) who say they aren't following it at all," Pew reports. "Just 13 percent of young adults are tracking news about the budget battles in Congress very closely."