Surprise! Americans Think the Country’s Off Course—Who Could’ve Guessed?

Andrii Yalanskyi / shutterstock.com
Andrii Yalanskyi / shutterstock.com

In a revelation that shocks absolutely no one paying even the slightest attention, a recent poll indicates that a majority of Americans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Yes, you heard that right. The same citizens enduring skyrocketing inflation, a porous southern border, and international embarrassments are now expressing dissatisfaction. Who would’ve thought?

According to the latest data, a staggering 59.9% of Americans feel the nation is on the wrong track, while a mere 26.8% think we’re moving in the right direction. The remaining percentage presumably couldn’t decide, perhaps too busy trying to figure out how to stretch their dwindling paychecks to cover the ever-increasing cost of living.

Let’s delve into the specifics, shall we? President Joe Biden, the man who promised to build back better, is leaving office with a record-low approval rating of 36%. Even more telling, 61% of Americans view his presidency as a failure. It’s almost as if open borders, unchecked inflation, and foreign policy blunders don’t sit well with the average American.

But wait, there’s more. When it comes to specific issues, the numbers are even more dismal. Only 31% approve of Biden’s handling of immigration, 32% are satisfied with his foreign affairs management, and a paltry 33% give a thumbs up to his economic policies. One has to wonder about the criteria of this approving minority—perhaps they’re grading on a curve?

Now, let’s talk about the economy, that pesky little thing affecting every American’s daily life. A recent Gallup survey reveals that while 66% expect the stock market to rise and 54% foresee increased employment, a sobering 56% still predict economic hardships in the coming year. It’s almost as if people don’t trust the current leadership to steer the economic ship. Shocking, isn’t it?

And what about the future? With President-elect Donald Trump preparing to take office, an AP-NORC poll reveals widespread skepticism about his ability to lower costs. Only about 2 in 10 Americans are confident that Trump will successfully reduce prices for essentials like groceries, housing, or healthcare in his first year. Confidence in his ability to create jobs is slightly higher, with about 3 in 10 expressing faith in his economic policies. It seems the public’s optimism is as robust as a wilted lettuce leaf.

But let’s not place all the blame on the executive branch. Congress, that esteemed body of lawmakers, boasts an approval rating of just 23.8%, with a whopping 64.8% disapproving. It appears that endless partisan bickering and legislative gridlock aren’t winning hearts and minds. Who knew?

In summary, the American public’s sentiment is clear: the country is veering off course, and confidence in our leaders is plummeting faster than the approval ratings themselves. Perhaps it’s time for those in power to take note, listen to the concerns of the citizens, and, dare we say, enact policies that benefit the nation as a whole. Or they could continue on the current path and act surprised when the next poll reveals even deeper dissatisfaction. After all, why fix what’s so clearly broken?