Americans say government wastes 51 percent of tax dollars

How efficiently does the federal government spend your tax dollars? It’s really more a question of inefficiency, Americans say in a new Gallup poll.

Of those surveyed, they estimate the feds waste 51 cents of every tax dollar it brings in, which ties the all-time high in 2011.

Here’s a closer look at the historical trend:

There is some good news on the local level, where people believe their money is being spent in a much more financially responsible manner.

Those surveyed said they believe state governments waste 42 cents of every dollar, while local governments waste 37 cents.

From Gallup:

None of this should really be surprising, especially considering past examples of how taxpayer money has been spent.

For example, the Pentagon once paid $14.4 million for parts that only were worth $4.4 million. And by its own estimate, the government made about $100 billion in payments last year to people who may not have been entitled to receive them

The Gallup poll shows Republicans are more likely to take a critical view of federal government spending. The GOP is still more critical at the state and local level, but by a much smaller margin.