At least half of all Americans don’t have faith in the country’s future, according to a poll that found they believe the country’s best days are in the past.
The Gallup poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Republicans and 55 percent of independents are feeling pessimistic, reports
Politico, echoing other data that shows Republicans in gloomy mood after November’s election, when President Barack Obama was re-elected and Democrats kept control of the Senate.
According to the poll, only 24 percent of Republican voters and 43 percent of independents think the country’s best days are ahead, compared to 69 percent of Democrats who are optimistic about the future.
The poll also revealed that 65 percent of the country thinks 2013 will be economically difficult, even though most anticipate there will be more jobs and only “reasonable” price increases this next year.
And most Americans — 82 percent — think taxes will raise this year, and a full 85 percent think the country will continue having a budget deficit.
Americans are also anticipating troubles overseas, the poll found. Three-quarters of respondents said they think there will be more international problems, even when the United States pulls its troops from Afghanistan. And 57 percent think America will lose power overseas.
The respondents are also predicting trouble here at home, with 68 percent expecting crime to rise this year, even though crime has been on the decline in recent years.
The Gallup poll questioned 1,025 adults between Dec. 14-17.
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