The way we were in 2019
We fumed over partisan politics and congressional inaction, but escaped through pizza and TV binges
How are we feeling?
67%
Pretty furious. are angry about the way things are going in the country, say they feel more rage about current events than they did five years ago, and think their family, friends, and co-workers seem angrier, too ( Axios/ SurveyMonkey).
believe American society is broken and that extreme partisanship now poses a danger to the country (Ipsos). While are proud to be American (Gallup), only think the U.S. is currently “great”— down 8 percentage points since 2017 (Ipsos). But there are causes for optimism. think the economy is excellent or good, up from in 2016 (Gallup), and are satisfied with their personal financial situation (NBC News/ Wall Street Journal). Still, many fear the good times won’t last: expect we’ll sink into a recession in 2020 ( Fortune/ SurveyMonkey).
60%
62%
51%
43%
25% Whom do we blame for America’s problems?
58%
69%
66%
Many point a finger at the commander in chief. believe President Trump is damaging the U.S. with unpresidential behavior and that he’s made America less respected around the world ( Washington Post/ ABC News). But some think he’s the greatest thing to happen to Washington in 150 years: of Americans, including of Republicans, say he’s a better president than Abraham Lincoln ( Economist/ YouGov). Other branches of government are viewed dimly. Only approve of the way Congress operates (Reuters/Ipsos), and say its members don’t work hard enough to deserve a summer vacation ( Economist/ YouGov).
54%
55%
53%
58%
70% 22% 68%
How has society changed?
We’re more accepting in some ways. A record support samesex marriage being legal (CBS News), and would be willing to vote for a well-qualified presidential candidate who happened to be gay—more than for an atheist, or a socialist, (Gallup). But prejudice hasn’t disappeared. percent say being black hurts a person’s ability to get ahead in America, and say the
60%, 56%
25%
67% 76%
47%
51%
63%
87%
What do we do to relax?
84%
Zone out in front of a screen. say they’ve lost sleep because they stayed up late to stream multiple episodes of a TV show and because they’ve played video games past bedtime (American Academy of Sleep Medicine). That might explain why of us generally don’t wake up feeling wellrested (YouGov). Many of us find escapism in fantasy: love superhero movies and Star Wars films. are such devoted fans that they’ve indulged in “cosplay” and dressed up as their favorite franchise character (Morning Consult). When it’s movie night at home, want to eat pizza—that’s more than any other food. But maybe don’t order a Hawaiian: believe that putting pineapple on a pie should be illegal (Harris Poll).
40%
60% What are we scared of?
48%
same about being Hispanic. Partisan enmity is growing: of Republicans believe Democrats are more unpatriotic than other Americans and that they’re more immoral, while of Democrats say Republicans are more closed-minded and
that they’re less intelligent (Pew Research Center). Bridging that divide will be difficult: want political leaders who will compromise and find common ground, but also want them to stand up to the other side (Georgetown University).
55% 75%
38%
50%
38%
13%
62%
88%
Lots. worry that they or a family member will become a victim of a mass shooting, up from in 2017 (Gallup), and have changed how they live their lives because of gun violence (American Psychiatric Association). Political partisanship has many panicking:
worry that the “deep state” is working to overthrow President Trump ( Economist/ YouGov), and are afraid America will descend into civil war in the next five years (Rasmussen). Supernatural threats are also a concern. believe demons and ghosts exist and that vampires live among us. say they have a zombie apocalypse plan ready, just in case the dead rise up and start hunting for human flesh (YouGov).
38%
13%
38%
39%
45%
31%
14%
24%