Without changes to the system, it's hard to not be in the 39% camp. I'd like to think that it's not that bad but watching the Republicans show no willingness to have a serious discussion about taxes to solve very real problems, I can't see where there's much hope. Sadly, many of us voted for change yet all we've seen (from both sides) is more of the same, on steroids. The political class - again, both sides - have failed us badly.
Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed for a New York Times/CBS News poll released late Wednesday say they see the economy headed on a downward path - significantly worse than when the question was last asked in October and 28 percent of Americans said the economy was in permanent decline.Ezra Klein has an interesting read over at Bloomberg today on the subject of old habits blocking reform.
At the same time, fewer Americans see the economy as having the potential to eventually recover, with 57 percent of those surveyed saying they think things will, in time, be better. That’s down from 68 percent in October.
As the economy continues to sputter in the eyes of many Americans, President Barack Obama’s approval rating is at 47 percent and his disapproval is at 44 percent. In May, surging in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden, Obama’s approval rating in the same poll was 57 percent and his disapproval was 37 percent.
