Americans may be fed up with national politics and the paralysis in Washington, but that does not mean that they’ve given up on finding solutions to the country’s most vexing social and economic problems. Instead, Americans increasingly are turning toward community organizations, small businesses, and local governments for fixes, according […] Read more »
Most Say Government Policies Since Recession Have Done Little to Help Middle Class, Poor
The public makes sharp distinctions about which groups have benefited – and which have not – from the economic policies the government has put in place since the start of the recession. Majorities say that large banks, large corporations and the wealthy have been helped a great deal or a […] Read more »
Small-Business Owners’ Optimism Highest Since 2008
U.S. small-business owners are the most optimistic they have been in seven years, according to the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index. The index, at +71, has increased significantly for two consecutive quarters, and reflects optimism in small-business owners’ views of both their current situation and their expectations for the […] Read more »
U.S. Markets Favored by Investors, Bright Spot in Dim Global Economy: Bloomberg Poll
International investors are the most bullish they’ve been on the U.S. markets in more than five years as America is seen as a bright spot in an otherwise worsening global economy, according to the latest Bloomberg poll. CONT. Rich Miller, Bloomberg Read more »
Taking control on taxes
If President Obama’s State of the Union address lived up to its advanced billing, you will have heard a lot of tax talk Tuesday night. Polls suggest the issue does not top voters’ agendas, though the president’s focus could increase its salience. Just last week, Pew asked Americans how important […] Read more »
Mood on Economy Up, Race Relations Sharply Down
Americans’ views about the economy, their overall quality of life and the opportunity to get ahead through hard work are more positive than they were before the 2014 State of the Union Address — echoing their improving economic confidence. At the same time, Americans are markedly less satisfied with the […] Read more »