Poll: Americans Say Nation Is Off-Track

CBS News Poll: Majority Says Founding Fathers Would Be Disappointed In U.S. Today

(CBS)  As Americans prepare to celebrate their nation's birthday this Fourth of July, it may be a bittersweet occasion. A CBS News poll finds that many think the Founding Fathers would be disappointed in the nation today, and belief in a better future for the next generation of Americans is down somewhat from last year.

Yet, most of those polled are satisfied with their own lives – especially those who have higher incomes. Essential parts of the American Dream remain alive and well this Independence Day: most think opportunities for success are better than their parents' were, and Americans overwhelmingly say it is still possible to go from rags to riches with hard work.

Many Americans – 48 percent - express pessimism about the future for the next generation: they think life for them will be worse than life is today.

THE FUTURE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION WILL BE...

Better
25%
Worse
48%
Same
24%

This downbeat sentiment has spread since last year, up ten points, and is very different from 2000, when CBS News polls found many more were optimistic. Pessimism was higher, though, in 1995.

But, the poll finds most Americans believe that the possibilities for success remain in their own hands.

STILL POSSIBLE TO START POOR, WORK HARD, AND GET RICH?

Yes
81%
No
18%

Americans are satisfied with how things are going in their lives – but not completely. Overall, about half call themselves somewhat satisfied and 27 percent are completely so.

But, when the answers are broken down by income level, the poll finds a correlation between income and happiness.

THOSE MAKING MORE THAN $50,000:
SATISFIED WITH HOW THINGS ARE GOING IN YOUR LIFE?

Completely satisfied
36%
Somewhat satisfied
51%
Somewhat/completed dissatisfied
13%

THOSE MAKING LESS THAN $50,000:

Completely satisfied
15%
Somewhat satisfied
47%
Somewhat/completed dissatisfied
37%

Most Americans still believe they have a better chance at success than their parents' generation did, the poll finds. Yet pessimism on this is higher than at the start of this decade: today almost one in five thinks their opportunities are worse – something very few people thought in 2000.

The poll finds American's opinion of the country as a whole even more pessimistic.

IF THE FOUNDERS CAME BACK THEY WOULD BE...

Pleased
20%
Disappointed
72%

Many of those polled said the nation is on the wrong track – more so today than ever before. Only 19 percent of Americans believe the country is generally going in the right direction – the lowest number recorded in a CBS News Poll since the question was first asked in 1983.

[teheulche]

What about Native America? Our land was stolen and we are treated. July 4 is not for us. It is a day of dependence.

[peacethinker-2009]

I think corporations, lobbyists, and religious groups have way too much influence and corrupt everything. I understand business is important for jobs and a high standard of living, but we could still do it all in a much more humane and responsible, humanist way. And don't get me going on "politicians", the so-called leaders of this country.

[Keypinitreel1]

When average Americans say that the forefathers would be disappointed, what they are alluding to is not disappointment with the American people... rather disappointment with the corruption of the political arena and process on the federal level.

The rest of the world and future generations will never forgive us for allowing this administration to stay in office.

[macusweil]

No wonder.. With the Republican, Greed Over Principle mandate in congress since 1994. The 'tax our grand-kids & the poor, free spending' Republicans have created a debtor nation of the US ballooning the deficit to 8,000,000,000,000 trillion dollars. These obstructionist self-opportunists have blockaded all forward progress in America. The US has made zero gains on health care, education, creating more high paying jobs, high-speed rail, enforcing immigration laws, etc etc.

[cyndilu9]

I fully agree that the Nation is on the wrong track! The Republicans have assisted all of the wealthy and greedy Corporations to their highest levels of Profit - while giving nothing back to the people. It's wrong and the middle and lower income people who vote for these "conservatives" are really naive. Poor Middle America they don't realize how bad they have it!

Michale Moore's film "Sicko" is a great eye opener for those who still don't believe that America could do so much better by it's people. Americans have to mortgage their homes for Health Care (at any stage of life) and Education (college costs!! outrageous) while other industrialized nations get all of this for free! And Republicans tell the American People that "it's socialism! Taxes will go up!" How much more can we possibly pay between taxes and health care and college costs?? The Government should include all of these necessary items in what we already pay! If they would only stop wasting our money and awarding their Corporate Friends!

Congress!! Hello!! Do the right thing for the American People for once.

[peacethinker-2009]

Yes, the people are the ones that allow this to happen. Garbage in, garbage out! We elect people to run things that are not particularly intelligent or kind, allow corporations to run business in an unethical greedy manner, so that's what we deserve. We need people in office and corporate boards that have a soul and a conscience, WHERE ARE THEY?

[jt_lancer]

The Founding Fathers should have known better. Though the Constitution attempted to keep government intervention in society to a minimum, there can never be enough barriers in place to prevent tyranny by government. The politicians will always find a way around these 'limits.'

Even the most obvious barriers to federal tyranny - the 9th and 10th Amendments - are commonly ignored by nearly EVERY Congressman and woman in office today.

The politicians of today are comparable to a legalized mafia. They do pretty much what they want; they take what they want while promising you 'protection' in return. If you don't cave in to their demands, some type of harm will befall you and your family.

Welcome to the new American mob!

[barbjc1]

The Republican party is only partially responsible for this fiasco. Remember we voted them in office and then kept them in.
Election is next year, start your research on these candidates now. Make sure you get out and vote when it is time.
Do not always vote for the incumbent, educate yourselves.
Gore was the best man for the office versus Bush, because he is an intellectual,most voters could not connect to him.

[radiob-2009]

It is the "leaders" that have taken our great nation to its current condition. Those who are more interested in lining their own pockets instead of enriching the lives of Americans.Both parties have failed the US, our representives, presidents no longer represent the people.

[hypnotoad72]

Right now things are fine. But I have real worries that selfishness, greed, and excessive offshoring are going to mean real problems within the next decade. Especially when corporate leaders who talk of the Dollar going down are happily helping its demise.

The best patriotism comes from helping one another. Helping our own.

The recent terror attacks prove we need to continue to stick together and report suspicious activities and not let these terrorist vermin try to kill us. Nobody should be afraid to report things to the police, and people questioned should find a little time to forgive as well. No, it's not easy.

One thing is also true - it's not solely the Republican party that's to blame for our Country's problems. Democrats are hardly innocent. Indeed, each of us has something we can improve upon. But no more one-sided cynicism. That's not reality.

As for Native America, whatever. Look at Native Mexico before Cortez invaded. How far back in history shall we cherrypick? Let's move forward for a change.

That or I'm wholly naive.

[peacethinker-2009]

I sure hope Gore comes in and takes the White House, America and the world needs it. I believe it would turn us all back towards the right path. He's far from perfect, he's just a man, but I think our best hope for now.

[omega39-2009]

As long as Business has unfettered direct access to our representatives while we the people can only send an email or leave a phone message that is responded to with a form letter, we as a democracy are scr/ewed.

[lorinkundert]

"Majority Says Founding Fathers Would Be Disappointed In U.S. Today" Disappointed? They would be arming up as we speak and the next revolution would begin.

[susie1949]

I don't care if you are a republican, democrat, liberal, conservative...it is time that we get going on taking care of our own Americans. I see far too many people that don't have healthcare, that have no food, cars, no insurance....I am down right mad at this whole political scene how it has played out!! It is all about greed.

AGAIN!! TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN!!

I personally would like to wipe the slate clean and get our own people in there that have nothing to do with any of these people that have proven how dishonest, corrupt and selfish they are.

I think we need citizen monitoring on our congress and senate. I don't know how. But instead of letting them do all the voting...put the vote our to the americans. These people are not working for our betterment. We are so hated by other countries because we go in there and tell them how to run their country. How would we like it if someone came in and told us how to run our country. Basically, you do...mexicans are coming across illegally and given jobs!!

And...look at the humungous Pakistani and Indian people that own businesses in the gasoline industry!! We are going to be bought and sold by these foreigners and they will own our oil yet and they are right here in America!!

[j-whitman]

Bush says,, "Polls I don't listen to no stinkin Polls.. Polls are from Pol land, my grandpa Prescot & uncle Adolf says they can be forced to do the work others won't do"

[lorinkundert]

"STILL POSSIBLE TO START POOR, WORK HARD, AND GET RICH?" That will only happen if you stop electing socialists AKA progressives.

[roger_inkart]

Who are the 20% who think the FF would be pleased? And who read the question to them?

The Bush administration is the apex of corrupt, self-interested, arrogant, war-mongering greed.

While my imagination is limited I can't picture any other group of people being less fit to govern, less pricipled and less concerned with the well-being of the nation and it's citizens (except where their own finances lay of course.)

[omega39-2009]

Right now things are fine. But I have real worries that selfishness, greed, and excessive offshoring are going to mean real problems within the next decade. Especially when corporate leaders who talk of the Dollar going down are happily helping its demise.
Posted by hypnotoad72

Did you read the Delphi story, the lucky workers will only be taking a 32% pay cut. Of course their mortgages, gas prices, health insurance, self funded retirements and loan sharked interest rates will drop to accommodate their new wage. Barring that, they can always file bankruptcy to protect some of their assets...oh wait, the last bipartisan congressional action was to protect the banks at the expense of their constituents.

[lorinkundert]

"I think we need citizen monitoring on our congress and senate. I don't know how." Start by supporting J.A.I.L.

[roger_inkart]

He's far from perfect, he's just a man, but I think our best hope for now.
Posted by peacethinker at 10:00 AM : Jul 01, 2007

He is the closest thing to a hero American politics has at the moment. He would change the world's opinion of the US overnight. He would unite our allies again. He would end the war in Iraq. He would work to end Global Warming. He would work to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. He would work to protect the enviroment, not destroy it to make money for big energy.

Most importantly, he would help undo all the damage wrought by the Bush administration.

He would help to heal our suffering nation. We need a hero now, and IMO there are none running for president at the moment.

[bluestardad]

"Gen. William Odom discusses the worst strategic disaster in American history, the war in Iraq: the view of most generals that the war is wrong, the failure of the politicians to see the consequences of their actions, the centrality of the neoconservatives and the Israel lobby in pushing for the Iraq invasion, the surge!

www.antiwar.com/blog/2007/
05/10/gen-william-odom

WE DONT NEED A BUNCH OF ISRAELI PASSPORT HOLDING PRO-ISRAELI NEOCONS TELLING REAL AMERICANS WHAT THEY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO! IT IS BAD ENOUGH THEY HAVE BOUGHT OUR POLITICIANS!

YOU WILL SEE MORE AND MORE ISRAELI SUPPORTS SPEWING THEIR STAY THE COURSE BUSHIT ON THE NEWS AND IN WASHINGTON AS THE SUPPORT FOR THEIR POLICIES HAVE FALTERED IN AMERICA!

AMERICANS ARE WAKING UP!

TELL OUR POLITICIANS AND THE MEDIA NO MORE MONEY TO THE MIDDLE EAST THEY HAVE NOTHING WE NEED!
Stand up to the Israeli Lobby Groups, AIPAC, PNAC, AEI, AND WEEKLY STANDARD!

CONFRONT YOUR CONGRESS!
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/



ISRAELIS HIDE BEHIND PROBLEMS THEY HAD IN EUROPE 70 YEARS AGO! AS SOON AS YOU QUESTION THE POLICY OF THESE SLUGS THEY SAY A PERSON IS ANTI SEMITIC!

I AM AMERICAN NOT ISRAELI AND OUR TROOPS ARENT EITHER!




READ AIPAC BRAG ABOUT THEIR INFLUENCE
ON AMERICAN POLITICIANS!

http://www.aipac.org/for
ms/join_aipacClubs.htm


IT IS NOT ALL THE REPUBLICANS FAULT EITHER AS CARL LEVIN, STENY HOYER AND JOE LIEBERMAN ARE SOME OF THE OTHERS WHO ARE BOUGHT BY AIPAC!

[j-whitman]

lorinkundert,,, I'm with you on that.. The big problem is we now have the largest republican minority than ever... That has to change

[radiob-2009]

Ah the KKK crowd has arrived.

[j-whitman]

radio,,, Have fun with these people,, I've got things to do.

[radiob-2009]

J early for you is it not about 7:30 CA time?

[j-whitman]

radio,,,, A bit early, my Pop's in the hospital again, pneumonia of all things, it's been in the 90's here.... See ya later

[radiob-2009]

J Hope your Dad gets better. Does he have emphysmia?

[radiob-2009]

Right now things are fine. But I have real worries that selfishness, greed, and excessive offshoring are going to mean real problems within the next decade. Especially when corporate leaders who talk of the Dollar going down are happily helping its demise.
Posted by hypnotoad72


Actually the decline in the value of the dollar promotes in theory the purchasing of US goods, as they can be acquired for less than other nations goods.Effectively making them competive with there counterparts, there is a point of decline where this is no longer a desirable event.

[omega39-2009]

Actually the decline in the value of the dollar promotes in theory the purchasing of US goods, as they can be acquired for less than other nations goods.Effectively making them competive with there counterparts, there is a point of decline where this is no longer a desirable event.
Posted by radiob

It doesn't help when you peg the value of your yuan to the dollar either.

[smirk5]

40+ percent of Americans think Saddam had a hand in 9-11. Most Americans can't find Iraq on a map. Because we have such an uninformed populace, our democracy is in trouble.

[omega39-2009]

J, so sorry to hear about your dad, I hope he gets better.

[radiob-2009]

It doesn't help when you peg the value of your yuan to the dollar either.
Posted by omega39


Currency trader? True when other nations peg their currencys value to ours a decline in ours creates a decline in theirs likewise which does create increased purchases of goods. What is more damning to nations is when they market government bonds at outrageuous rates with no requirements placed upon them. Remember the decline in Russia about 8 years ago, hedge funds who had purchased Russian bonds at 30% intrest started cashing them in. The same thing occured in many S. America nations.

[snaveme]

What a facinating and informative poll....would the Founding Fathers be disappointed in the nation today? The first impression would be ahhhhhhhhhh I'm in the future. How about some more polls worthy of the CBS tradition.....What would Lincoln think of the Lincoln Continental? Would Napolean like the pastry named after him? Would Ben Franklin buy Tupperware? Would Jesus answer the door if Jehovah Witnesses knocked? idiotic polls like these could bring CBS back to the top!

[omega39-2009]

Posted by radiob

Radiob, just curious, what is your position on the Tobin tax?

[tcoleman12]

Where did they come up with this? Total the numbers up:
Start poor, WORK HARD, get rich:
81 yes
18 no (don't want to work hard)

Over $50,000:
86% Satisfied
13% Dissatisfied

Under $50,000:
62% Satisfied
37% Dissatisfied

The numbers don't look that bad to me. They could have said a majority satisfied with their outlook on the future. But that doesn't fit with their agenda.

TC

[sandy19731]

We could all make this a better country by being better to each other. Don't yell at your "loved ones" today. Just today. Maybe if we all learned to control our tempers within our families and work places our government would follow. The hatred expressed in these columns alone could fuel a war.

This country needs to be strong not hateful.

[vet_sk]

""40+ percent of Americans think Saddam had a hand in 9-11. Most Americans can't find Iraq on a map. Because we have such an uninformed populace, our democracy is in trouble.""

I am starting to believe that those who have power want a lower class of republicans and democracts alike who will believe what is put in front of them. And religion gives everything a headstart in believing the unbelievable.

And I totally agree, it does put out democracy in peril - as politicians will continue to play off this 40 or 50% of the population that think they don't care what is going on...until their kids is killed in some rediculous foreign war.

[formrusmcsgt]

40+ percent of Americans think Saddam had a hand in 9-11. Most Americans can't find Iraq on a map. Because we have such an uninformed populace, our democracy is in trouble.
Posted by Smirk5 at 10:52 AM : Jul 01, 2007

It behoves our leaders for we Americans to be distracted and consumed with our constant diversion, entertainment, and pleasure.

That leaves no time for reasoning regarding issues and makes us more inclined to accept a 5 second spin (especially if it sounds reassuring) on an issue rather than take the time, seek information, and formulate our own positions thoughtfully.

Part of being a patriot is realizing that, in some instances, standing up for your country means standing up to your government. We've had to do so in the past and this won't be the last time we'll have to do so.

Fortunately for us all, the great majority of Americans can now undeniably see that this "emperor" has no clothes.

[hissteps4u]

TC you sound like a Pollster. Your rendering of the question is wrong. The 18 percent who said No believe that No matter what they do they wont get ahead..... Come now some brain power and deductive reasoning skills should have showed you at least that much. Those 18 % believe that No matter what they do they wont increase their position in life and are kept from doing so. While the article dores not say that it is the simple truth.

[radiob-2009]

Posted by snaveme

You do not believe this poll? What about the polls where a majority of voters are discontented with both parties?
Bloomberg: 57 percent say the two-party system does not do a good job addressing issues important to Americans, according to the poll. The same percentage of registered voters say the country needs a third political party.

[formrusmcsgt]

As Colin Poewll once quipped, "The future ain't what it used to be"......

[omega39-2009]

It behoves our leaders for we Americans to be distracted and consumed with our constant diversion, entertainment, and pleasure.
Posted by formrusmcsgt

I believe this was known as Bread and circuses in the Roman empire.

[formrusmcsgt]

believe this was known as Bread and circuses in the Roman empire.
Posted by omega39 at 11:15 AM : Jul 01, 2007

Unfortunately, for way too many, it still works.....

[tcoleman12]

Seriously, hisstep, what those 18% lack is belief in themselves. Maybe they don't want to better their position through hard work...because it is HARD! With the entitlement society the way it is now, too much is provided for idleness and not enough for initiative.

And no, radiobob, I do not believe this poll.

TC

[hypnotoad72]

Another point, define "work hard".

Productive (quantity of goods made/serviced)?
Intelligent (making things easier/dumbing down)?
Creative (making things to help other people and getting them out to market before someone else does the same thing with an inferior product)
Dropping out of school/college because of a loophole in an industry that will make you rich?

[snaveme]

What a facinating and informative poll....would the Founding Fathers be disappointed in the nation today? The first impression would be ahhhhhhhhhh I'm in the future. How about some more polls worthy of the CBS tradition.....What would Lincoln think of the Lincoln Continental? Would Napolean like the pastry named after him? Would Ben Franklin buy Tupperware? Would Jesus answer the door if Jehovah Witnesses knocked? idiotic polls like these could bring CBS back to the top!

[radiob-2009]

Radiob, just curious, what is your position on the Tobin tax?
Posted by omega39


Who would monitor the tax collection? The UN, another step towards a New World Order? Not in opposition to a tax itself on the trading of currencys for short term gains, it is a capital gain but who is going to monitor it? With events taking place around the world that lead the world closer to a Orwellian society would giving responsibilty of the tax to the UN for monitoring bring us closer to a Orwellian society?

[formrusmcsgt]

And no, radiobob, I do not believe this poll.

Posted by tcoleman12 at 11:20 AM : Jul 01, 2007

This was all just engineered by a news organization that takes it's credibility seriously, not so at Faux News of course, just to rain on your parade, eh?

Imagine how foolish CBS would appear if a similar poll didn't support their polling, but rather, contradicted it? Would anyone ever believe a CBS News poll again? Probably not, if they monkeyed up the results as you insinuate.

You simply don't like the data and what it says about the poor state of leadership in this country right now, so you simply dismiss the whole thing as bogus.

Not a very realistic approach by any means, but it IS convenient - I'll give you that much.

[hypnotoad72]

tcoleman12 - "initiative". Don't you mean "cheaper cost"? Thanks to offshoring, fewer people want to spend the money to get college educated because they fear, rightfully so I'm afraid, that the jobs that will help them repay the college loans will be shipped out to a gaggle of people who aren't going to care one jack ***t about our country and its development or future.

[omega39-2009]

With events taking place around the world that lead the world closer to a Orwellian society would giving responsibilty of the tax to the UN for monitoring bring us closer to a Orwellian society?
Posted by radiob at

Radiob, we already have a host of institutions such as the world bank whose only purpose seems to be to screw over the economies of third world countries. As for the NWO and Orwellian tactics, they are already here. Have you read T-barr's posts, every one of the Democrats is a member of the CFR and several are members of Bilderberg, and of course there is Bush and his North American Union.