In 1980, President Ronald Reagan famously asked Americans if they thought they were better off than they were four years ago. Gallup asked that same question this year and editor-in-chief Frank Newport discusses the results.
Gallup's latest polls reveal only 1 in 10 Americans say that they are dissatisfied with their jobs. It's a major jump from the results from two decades ago.
So far, the Republican National Convention keynote speeches have focused on jobs and the deficit. Something a little more surprising, maybe, has been the emphasis on teachers and schools.
New data from Gallup shows that 25 percent of Mississippi residents have struggled to feed their families at some point over the last 12 months. On average, 18 percent of respondents in the U.S. say they've lacked money for food at least once recently.
Which industries do well in public opinion polls? Computers get mostly positive marks, as do retail and anything having to do with food. The federal government and oil and gas, not so much.
The latest data on unemployment claims put them near their lowest levels since the start of the financial crisis. Hiring is slowly ticking up. So why aren't Americans feeling better about the economy?
Attitude Check is a regular segement from Marketplace and Gallup Editor in Chief Frank M. Newport public opinion of the economy on issues from income to politics to consumer confidence with data, insight, and expert commentary.
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Are you better off? What the polls say.
Most Americans feel satisfied with their jobs
Americans split on who they think will win the election
Americans weigh in on education
Americans struggle to feed their families
How Americans rank industries' reputations
Americans still feel gloomy about the economy
How Americans view the deficit
Consumer confidence varies from state to state
Do Americans' concerns match up with Paul Ryan's?
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