Wow, things out there are really bleak. Just how dismal is the economy? According to some poll CNN has apparently been conducting since 1997, most people in this country are pretty sure that everything is terrible, nothing will ever get better, and America is doomed to forever be varying degrees of “poor.”
In all, 59 percent of those surveyed for a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll said they expect economic conditions in the United States to be poor a year from now, while 40 percent expect conditions to be good. That’s the highest percentage since CNN began asking the poll question in October, 1997
Twenty-nine percent of those surveyed said they expect the economy to be “very” poor a year from now, while 30 percent said they think it will be “somewhat” poor. At the same time, just four percent of those surveyed said they think the economy will be in “very” good shape next year, while 36 percent said they think it will be “somewhat” good.
Views of where the economy stands right now are even more negative. Eighty-four percent of those surveyed said they think the economy is in poor condition, while just 16 percent said it is in good shape.
That 16 percent figure seems a bit high. Of course those people also identified themselves as “in good shape,” so there could be an accuracy issue here. [Politico]
{ 89 comments }
If only we had cut taxes.
Won't somebody please think of the poor rich people?
Precisely. Who are we to prevent children from working in factories? If government would just quit all regulation of things like public safety, dangerous chemicals and pesticides, profits would soar and everything would be fine.
Whenever anyone who isn't already wealthy stops to think about the economy–in some cases its "How will I feed my kids" in others its "How will I send my kids to college" they realize that they and everyone like them is fucked.
67 percent of me says I am "somewhat poor" right now, but 95 percent of me says I will be "very poor" next year. Statistics don't lie.
90% sez I am "busted" now, but 110% sez I will be "homeless" by this time next year.
I for one am not worried about the economy, as it has been proven time and time again that roots and grubs are both edible and prevalent in almost any climate. And there are potato sacks and hefty bags around so we will never want for clothing.
And the boxes that Hoverounds come in make a great home.
Burlap never goes out of fashion.
Wooden barrels if you want to be retro-chic. But you will have to evict (or kill) the present occupant to get one.
Just eat more pickles… or drink a ship load of whiskey…(that's my plan).
Two of my favorite things! Why can't it be both?
Toughens the nipples, also.
"…they think it will be “somewhat” poor…"
Somewhat poor… hasn't it always been "somewhat poor"? Goin' out on a limb there.
Must be talking about the people that have televisions and a roof that doesn't leak over their heads.
I, for one, have always been somewhat poor.
just four percent of those surveyed said they think the economy will be in “very” good shape next year
That's about the same % of Americans who think Mittens is a Muslim.
God, we are screwed…
Lazy! Bootstraps! No taxes! DERP!!!!
Don't worry, it's all Hopey Nobama's fault.
But as long as the rich are getting richer, we're collectively on the right track, amirite?
Please…the correct term is "JOB CREATORS" – even though you apparently don't have to really create JOBS to earn that title.
Yum, this chocolate cake is just so damn jobcreator.
I think "JORB REACTORS" is more appropriate.
The American worker is more productive. Less employees+longer working hours=Higher corporate profits.
PRODUCTIVITY!
This is just crazy. After all, the Orange Boner promised to have a debt agreement by open of the asian markets yesterday. I haven't looked what the markets are doing but I'm sure he met his promise and that the markets are farting sparkles and roses today. Right?
"Farting Sparkles and Roses" is totally the new name for my merry band of homo hobo troubadours.
Can I be your token breeder?
It all depends on your sector sure the old economy has hit a rough patch but times have never been better for ammunition suppliers, maker of Hobo beans and of course white slavers.
HAHA, suckers! I cashed out my Roth IRA and my 401(k), and invested it all in hobo beans, onion skins, and Southern Comfort. WHO'S LAUGHING NOW?!
Chillax, whiners — when the standard of living gets just a tad lower, we'll become the home to hundreds of Indonesian sneaker factories and Mexican fertilizer plants — if we can do away with all those burdensome government regulations, that is.
You left out the 200 million person die-off.
Yes we can!
Hey, the economy has been sucking shit for ten years now, so really why would we want to change a thing? A nice default could be just what we need to really jump-start things into depression land. Anyway, whatever it takes to get that black feller outta the white house, amirite?
"Black feller?" My, you ARE being genteel tonight, good sir! Wassamatta? No speaka da Teabag?
I'm feeling depressed today. This is not helping.
I hope that your day and mood improves, truly.
Someone said something sweet and free of snark to me, on the Wonkette no less! It really is a happy day!
It is a happy day, I promise.
I went to Borders Books and Palin's book was on sale for $3.99 and then 40% off of that price.
Check out this article and comments (about moving political books around at Borders):
Conservatives Respond to Closing of Borders (Books)
you could almost pay that in spare change.
Still overpriced.
Just look at some kittehs. That usually works for me.
That page is slow today…lots of sad must be hitting it.
KittenWARZ!!!
Me, too. On the way to work, I was thinking "I won't look at the internet, stuff just bums me out", but it's hard to put down the crack pipe…
Yeah, this bottle of Maker's Mark just seems to be glued to my hand for some reason.
Moar kitteh, for your therapeutic viewing pleasure.
That is one of my all time favorites! Merci, beaucoup!!!!!
I needed that.
I was having similar thoughts on the socialist transit on the way home. Busy day at work meant little time to wonk. There is something to that ignorance is bliss saying, but it is well and truly an addiction. I think MisterBarry is looking for a 12-step program for me.
You are not alone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M7ibPk37_U
Henri is there.
OHHHH MY GOODNESS!
I first saw Henri a few years ago. The ennui of Henri! 'Eee ees mah favohhrrite kitteehhh (horrible French accent). I quote him all the time: "My filtered water tastes impure." When my mom's cat kills a spider, she says, "I make friends, but I seldom keep them."
I'm glad you like it! I searched through my history of often embarrassing Facebook posts to find it again. Black and White Cat Video doesn't do much good.
It's chat cinéma.
oh that is so very very good. thank you.
i love that the wonkette is so damn smart and so damn cynical and so much in love with our animals.
i had to turn off the news and watch 'inglorious bastards' again.
i'm not sure i can listen to hopey either. this french farce of a gov't we've been blessed with has moved into the land of absurdism.
and i don't see it getting any better until 2012 when the repubs will control everything and then we can just point and snark and sob.
If we made abortions against the law and prayer in school a must that will save this economy.
I'm praying my ass off for a job; would it work better if I did it in a school building?
Only if they have non-union teachers.
And cover statues' breasts, doncha know.
What to do when the economy collapses, GOP version:
Cut government spending, creating more unemployed workers; Cut taxes on the wealthy; Cut programs that help the poor be less poor; Cut programs that help keep the middle class from becoming poor.
A better way: Republicans should just CUT THEIR FUCKING HEADS OFF.
Or let the people do it, providing jerbs for hungry Americans.
it still amazes me that the GOP/Koch Axis hasn't been stormed with torches and pitchforks yet.
Edit: HASN'T
Where's the 'fubar poor' option?
Maybe to stop voting Republican would be a good start. Oh, I thought you wrote 'What' is their option.
I shoulda put 'poll option'
somewhat > very> fubar!
**shrug** I'd be thrilled, if 16% of me was in good shape. Alas, no.
I have a modest proposal for preventing the children of poor people from being a burden to their parents, or the country, and for making them beneficial to the public: fatten up those undernourished children and sell them as tasty food for the rich.
Think about it. We'd eliminate overpopulation and unemployment, spare families the expense of child-bearing while providing them with a little extra income, improve the culinary experience of the wealthy, and contribute to the overall economic well-being of the nation! Damn, I'm brilliant.
Jonathan Swift approves this post.
O, so we can suddenly afford to fatten up children? What about all of the already obese, why not feed on THEM for a while.
Yeah, but we all have televisions, so can we REALLY be considered poor?
My purchase yesterday of a new (used) shotgun is looking very smart.
This is the Future we get to look forward to winning? Needs more Wonka to put the gnostic back into prognosticate:
"A year from now, the schnozberries… will still taste like schnozberries."
Because at that time election season will be in full tilt — why do I anticipate the voices from the squawk box will be trying to convince me the potted meat I should be grateful to still afford tastes as delectable as Wonka Wallpaper if I just squeeze my eyes shut and use my imagination?
You forgot to link to the accompanying Politico editorial, in which no doubt some Ayn Rand wanker in Malibu blames it all on the unions.
This time next year, though, people here in DC will be using copies of Politico to paper the walls on their shanties. That'll show them!
Now hold on here, there is a strong argument to be made that whenever the majority of the american public beleive something, that belief is proof that the thing is wrong. I know, I know, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while, but come on, how often does the majority of the people in the US get ANYTHING right? I guarantee you could poll the public at random and you would find that a majority of the people could not accurately identify samples of shit and shinola.
Here's hoping folks wise-up and on Wednesday, November 7 next year we find that the Teatards are AtLast Shrugged.
Nah, that's way too hopey.
Instead of signaling AHEAD of time that we're about to default, why doesn't the Government take a lesson from your typical Wasilla meth head? Just send out bad checks on Aug. 2 – and then let the banks and the legal system catch up with them. When Bank of America calls up and asks for its money, either don't answer the phone or get beligerant and send a cruise missile or two to blow up a couple of branches….
Now that's certainty! Buybuybuy!
Take your country back. Please!
The economy will bounce back when the billions of poor in "emerging markets" will be able to afford overpriced U.S. products on their $50 a week in salaries, so don't worry, everything is fine, just fine. So say the 16 percenters.
I'm too poor to do a new comment, but this one I did for another thread looks appropriate to recycle here: "Can we please tax the fuck out of the rich yet? They're not even pretending to hide their smug assholishness now…"
I mean, obviously, the rich are half of the people who say the economy will be very good (for them) — the other 2% are trickle-down Friedman-worshipping Randian dipshits who get by as toadies for the 2% with all the money.
Seems like that comment would suit just about every single story written these days. So carry on.
That's it. I'm pulling my 65.66 out of Kiva.
As an old hippy once told me, when the weed is in the jar, then you go out to the bar.
I don't think we have a lot to worry about unless the Repugs start calling for Gun Control. "Course, by then it will be too late for them.
Well, that's it, boys. Pack it up. We're done, here.
Honestly, I can see why liberals would be pessimistic, but what the hell does the Tea Party (AKA the GOP) have to fucking be crying about? Their vision for America is damn-near fully implemented. Bunch of fuckin' cowards is what they are. Scared of every damned thing under the sun, except the sun itself, because climate change is a hoax.
"At the same time, just four percent of those surveyed said they think the economy will be in “very” good shape next year…"
Those are the four percent of Americans who own their own yacht or private jet and happen to pay no taxes.
If I could afford a furry wall, I'd stroke it.
That 16% is probably heavily invested in corpse handling gloves and lime.
one to wear while the other is out to be cleaned? plus you'll have two of the three major food groups covered. Catsup being the third, of course.
That's funny–one of my favorite things to do at Borders was to put the Bible proudly on display in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section. I was never asked to leave, though.
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