According to a New York Times/CBS News poll just released, 81 percent of respondents felt "things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track." 81 percent. That's four out of five. I'm kind of surprised. Call me a sentimental sap, but just yesterday I was listening to this song on the treadmill. Thinking critically, I know that saying that we're on the wrong track and being proud are different animals, but I see a lot of "tracks" around the world I'm glad we're not on. Of course I see we have challenges, but 81 percent?
The number was up from 69 percent last year and 35 percent in early 2003. The darkening outlook had been attributed to the situation in Iraq but this poll showed a big addition of concern over the economy, almost flip-flopping priority of concern with Iraq.
Only 4 percent of respondents said the country was in better shape than it was five years ago, while a sizeable 78 percent said it was worse.
This news is pretty jarring. If this were an election, 81 percent would be a landslide. Are you surprised by this finding? Do you agree?
