How Trump reflects America’s obsession with ‘winners’ and ‘losers’

… We have long been told that anyone in this country who wants to succeed, can. Casting aside the increasing impediments to social mobility, such as high college tuition costs and the loss of high-paid, blue-collar jobs, the onus is entirely on the individual. Surveys show that Americans strongly believe […] Read more »

We Need Smartphones! (And All the Latest Stuff)

The modern digital revolution, begun in the 1980s, now dominates Americans’ lives—down to the ways they communicate, work, learn, and shop. A startling 69 percent of Americans said that having the latest technology is “total[ly] necessary” to their lives, according to the results of the most recent Heartland Monitor Poll. […] Read more »

Views of Oil and Gas Industry Improving

Americans’ views of the oil and gas industry continue to improve, with 34% now saying they have a positive view of it. That is up 12 percentage points since 2012, and is one point lower than the 15-year high of 35% from 2003. Ratings have improved as the average price […] Read more »

Immigrant Status Tied to Discrimination Among Hispanics

About one in 10 U.S. Hispanics say they have experienced discrimination because of their ethnicity over the past month in each of several locations — their place of work, in dealings with police, while getting healthcare and at an entertainment venue such as a bar or restaurant. Slightly fewer report […] Read more »