We recently brought you the results of a Canadian survey on Food Sentiment. Now, there’s a similar US report from CNN showing the out-of-control cost of living is top-of-mind with Americans, too. A full 76 percent of them…
“It should not be like this”
The CNN poll revealed a dire and worsening situation in the collective American Mind about their economy, and the effect it’s having on their lives.
A ‘prevailing sense of uncertainty’…
- Three-quarters of Americans say the economic system unfairly favours powerful interests.
- Two-thirds of American workers say their wages are not keeping up with those climbing prices.
- Even among those workers earning household incomes of $150,000 or more, 57 percent say their wages aren’t keeping up.
- About half of Americans are dissatisfied with their financial situation.
- More see their finances as worsening in the past year rather than improving.
Pessimistic about prospects…
- About three-quarters of Americans say it’s harder to get ahead now than it was a generation ago.
- A similar number say it will be even harder for the next generation.
- Less than half now say that most people who want to get ahead can make it if they’re willing to work hard.
What they said…
Responses to the ‘comments’ section of the survey convey the stress Americans are suffering, trying to keep to with their bills…
“It’s more expensive [just] to exist.
“You’re just staying afloat instead of getting ahead.”
“Two full-time jobs and [we] can barely cover [our] bills.”
“You’re just staying afloat instead of getting ahead.”
“Me and my husband work 12-hour days 5-6 days a week, and we have to decide if we’re gonna buy groceries or pay for gas.”
“I don’t know how anyone from my generation will ever do anything except rent.”
The dark consensus:
“It should not be like this.”
My take
One poll respondent from Indiana – the ‘Heartland’ – offered a more analytical observation: “We are making the most money we have ever made, yet we have the least financial freedom we have ever experienced due to the increasing prices.”
My analysis? The economy is affecting Americans in the same ways it’s affecting Canadians. But Amer-icans appear to be worse off. At least, they’re expressing more pessimism. And the vast majority are bracing for increasing stress and uncertainty. According to the CNN poll, only 39 percent of those sur-veyed says they had ‘hope’ for better times to come in the near future.
Canadians at least appear to still have hope…
~ Maggie J.