by Mark Silva
Are you struggling? You're not alone.
Are you thriving? You're not alone.
Nearly as many Americans are struggling as are surving, says the Gallup Poll, which has surveyed more than 100,000 Americans since the beginning of 2008. Gallup has found: 49 percent of Americans say they are "thriving," 47 percent are "struggling," and nearly 4 percent are "suffering." The suffering, it seems, is not as bad as expected.
"The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index builds upon Gallup's long tradition of representing the "voice of the people," and ultimately, what it is that people believe constitutes a good life,'' Gallup reports. "With measures that reflect Americans' evaluations of their day-to-day lives as well as their daily emotional experiences, Gallup is now able to provide an unprecedented view of public well-being in the United States.
"The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index asks Americans to evaluate their lives by imagining a "ladder" with steps numbered from 0 to 10, where "0" represents the worst possible life and "10" represents the best possible life.
"Nationally, 49 percent of Americans say that they presently stand on steps 7 or higher of the ladder. When asked where they will stand about five years from now, Americans report that they expect to stand on steps 8 or higher. Gallup considers this group of Americans to be 'thriving.'... While nearly half fall into this category, the percentage of citizens in the thriving group is down from 60% in 2006.
"On the low end of the spectrum, 4 percent of U.S. residents say they presently stand on steps 0 to 4 of the ladder. When asked where they will stand five years from now, Americans in this group report that they expect to stand on steps 0 to 4 of the ladder, as well. Gallup considers this group of Americans to be "suffering."
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Comments
This story fits the DNC playbook look for victims and start class warfare. The drivebys and pollsters like Gallup are revving our engines to get us disillusioned enough to vote for Jackasses no thanks donkeys! America is an excellent nation and we are only as happy as we make ourselves. Our rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness come from our Creator not the government. As our constitution states these are inalienable rights.Every election the drivebys portray our nation as unhappy. Wakeup America and smell the coffee. jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | April 30, 2008 9:50 AM
It's more like, 1% thriving, 99% struggling, 4000+ dead and 50,000 maimed and crippled. Are you sure the poll takers weren't from Enron, or some other such, corporate books " cooker "?. Like everything else, in this Bush, circus atmosphere, every piece of information is suspect. If you are going to discuss America and her situation, please present the whole picture, not the one President Bush would like you to present. Thank you!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 30, 2008 10:30 AM