An Effect Of Privatization Effort -- Or Is It Service?

President Bush's push to privatize Social Security may have taken a toll on public perceptions of the Social Security Administration, or perhaps it is declining service at Social Security. A Harris poll asked about public perceptions of various federal agencies. Social Security got the lowest marks of the 13 agencies asked about, with only a 40% positive rating. Only 5% rated the job that Social Security does as excellent. Social Security's rating is down significantly from the last time such a poll was done, in 2004, when 51% gave the agency a positive rating. Younger Americans were the most negative on Social Security.