Polls show that people trust that 2010 will be better than 2009

Despite differences in opinion a poll shows that the majority of Americans agree that although 2009 had been bad, it is going to better in 2010. Three fourths are sure that 2009 was a bad period for USA marked by unemployment, foreclosures and ailing economy. 42% said it was “very bad” according to recent AP-GfK poll.

There is no doubt that it is worse than the last time poll was taken in 2006. That year 58% thought that the country has suffered but 39% opined that it was a good period. In 2009 less than half of this – 16% thought that 2009 was a “very good year” as had been said about 2006.

But everything is not gloomy because some of the views are optimistic underlying the traditional optimism of the people of America. It could be termed wishful thinking however!

Three out of every five citizens commented that for their own family 2009 had been good. But two out five did not think so – said it was a bad year. 72% of the people feel optimistic about 2010.

Four out of five are hopeful about what this new year of 2010 would bring for them and their families. Strangely however two thirds feel that the finances of their households would take a turn for the worse or at the best remain the same as 2009.

One of the optimistic thinkers is Mari Flanigan of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She feels that 2010 will be personally kind to her although her finances might wobble. She is 36 years old an unemployed. After facing rising competition she had to sell off her family business.

In an interview she said, “Financially I’m scared.” Instead of hunting for new jobs she is however thinking of going back to school and becoming a social worker. She explained, “I’d rather make less money and do something I love.” She pointed out that joy and hope are not necessarily tied down to finances.

There hardly has been any place in the country that has not seen staggering unemployment in 2009. The rate now reads 10%. Millions suffered the shrinking of their savings or retirement funds. Many are worried about how long they would keep their jobs and after that from where the earnings would come for their survival.

Another example is the story of Marcia Andrews of Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Until cuts in budget took away her job she was a high-school nurse. In her late sixties she exhausted $250,000 to transform her old home into a bed-breakfast unit but the fall in tourism has compelled her to try to sell it. She bemoaned, “It was the wrong place and the wrong time.”

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