The way we were in 2012

We’re starting to feel a bit more optimistic, but still have plenty of worries and gripes.

How are we feeling?

Not great, but we’re getting better. In October, 42% of Americans said the country was heading in the “right direction,” the highest number in almost three years (ABC News/The Washington Post), and 61% thought the economy was either in recovery or would be soon (Pew Research Center). 56% are optimistic that President Obama will be able to reduce unemployment in his second term, 55% say he’ll improve the health-care system, and 54% think he’ll oversee a strong economic recovery (USA Today/Gallup). Not everyone is so confident about the nation’s future. 31% say the challenges facing the country are so serious that America might not be able to overcome them (Allstate/National Journal), 40% worry that the U.S. is “evolving into a socialist state” (Investors Business Daily/TIPP), and 57% think America is on the decline as a civilization (Fox News).

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