One of the most frequently asked poll questions is, “How do Americans feel about the state of the country?” And, in recent years, the answer has usually been negative.
However, determining why people are unhappy is difficult. The most recent AWN poll asked Americans whether things were doing well or poorly in the country, and then to explain why in their own words.
Dim perceptions of the nation’s economic conditions were a major motivation among the 69% who believed things were doing either pretty well or very badly. The smaller proportion who were more optimistic frequently highlighted their own, more optimistic views on the economy.
Other elements that influenced Americans’ attitudes, whether favourable or negative, were their thoughts on social issues, conclusions made from their daily lives, or a combination of divergent concerns. Their explanations shed light on what respondents truly mean when they respond to broad, state-of-the-nation questions that are frequently included on surveys.
Here are some of the common themes that emerged in our most recent poll, as well as a sample of responses from people all over the country. Some responses have been edited lightly for length, grammar, and clarity.
The financial system
Views of the country and the economy frequently coexist. When asked to explain how things are going in the United States today, 35% of respondents who said things were going well and 52% of those who said things were doing badly emphasised economic concerns.
When asked to explain why they felt this way, slightly more than half of women, men, Whites, persons of colour, those under 45 and those 45 and older all named the economy.
However, there were differences among this pessimistic group, both along and within partisan lines.
The economy was named as a source of discontent by 58% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, while 42% of Democrats and Democratic leaners said the same.
Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents under 45 were 11 percentage points more likely than their older counterparts to cite economic reasons. The share of Republicans mentioning the economy did not differ by age.
Aside from general economic concerns, issues such as inflation and the cost of living hit home for many Americans who claimed the country was in bad shape.
“The cost of living is exorbitant.” It appears like the economy is not performing well, but this has been the case for many years. The housing market is bad, and petrol prices are bad. Student loan debt is out of control. Even while I agree that students should pay their own loans, they shouldn’t be so expensive to begin with.” – 29-year-old Republican from Pennsylvania
“A single mother cannot sustain a household on one income.” Everything is exorbitantly priced. Rent is exorbitant, and most people are unable to obtain a loan to own a home.” – 30 year old Republican woman from Iowa
“The economy is a disaster. My living expenses are MUCH MUCH MUCH HIGHER. You can find out by going to the food shop.” – 71-year-old Republican from Illinois
Those in the positive camp, on the other hand, were primarily concerned with the availability of jobs and the sense that the economy was improving. Americans earning $50,000 or more per year were 19 percentage points more likely than those earning less to cite economic factors as a reason for saying things were going well, 44% to 25%.
“The economy is thriving. I’m dissatisfied with women’s loss of bodily autonomy and the right’s rising authoritarianism, but I believe Biden is doing a wonderful job with the economic, the environment, and international relations.” – 65-year-old Democratic woman from North Dakota
“There are still changes I hope will be made, but for the most part, we’re on the right track.” Food is available on grocery store shelves. There are employment available with significantly higher compensation than before the outbreak.” – 52-year-old Democratic woman from Michigan
“Unemployment is at a historic low, and the economy is doing well.” Inflation means people have more money.” – 51-year-old Democratic-leaning Massachusetts man
Political polarisation and schisms
The public’s perception of the economy is frequently deeply polarised, with Americans far more likely to rate conditions as good when their party controls the White House – either because their political beliefs drive them to different conclusions or because they use survey questions to tout their partisan allegiances.
In AWN’s recent poll, views on the overall state of the US were likewise sharply divided, with a near-unanimous 91% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents stating things were bad in the US, a position echoed by 48% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.
Among those who said things were going badly, 11% blamed President Joe Biden or the Democrats primarily, with smaller shares blaming Congress or the government as a whole. The percentage was 17% among Republicans and Republican leaners in that group.
“Biden’s presidency has been extremely difficult for my country.” Things have deteriorated in recent years.” – An 80-year-old Republican woman from Pennsylvania
“This country is going downhill. With everything he’s done, he’s ruined it. At the very least, Trump was remaking America.” – Republican woman from New York who did not specify her age.
“Congress is simply not focused on working together to solve our country’s problems.” – 65-year-old Republican from Colorado
Among those who said things were going well, 5% attributed it to Biden or the Democratic Party, 6% criticised former President Donald Trump, and others cited improvements in government leadership or a general sense of stability.
“We have moved out of the dishonest and corrupt shadows of Trump’s and ‘conservative’ fascist-dominated term of misgovernance.” – 44-year-old Democratic man from Nebraska
“I believe it could be much worse, and the president is doing the best he can with all of our problems.” – Democratic-leaning New Jersey woman, 67
“Democrats are in power. Republicans will NEVER help the working class or the impoverished.” – A 60-year-old Democratic man from Indiana
Others saw polarisation as the problem. 7% of those who believed things were going badly in the US claimed it was due to political or societal divisions in the country. Democrats (13%) and those with a college degree (12%) were more likely than others to see the issue as a major source of their dissatisfaction.
“We’re more divided than ever before.” The GOP is attempting to eradicate diversity by removing women’s and LGBTQ rights. “This place is a disaster.” – 37-year-old Democratic lady from Connecticut
“We have never been so divided as a nation on almost every issue, and Biden is exacerbating the problem.” – A 60-year-old Republican from Kansas
a”The schism among citizens is deepening.” Nobody gives a damn about their neighbours or the community.” – 38-year-old self-sufficient man from Texas