Pessimism all around

A majority of Americans think the economy hasn’t improved over the last year and, adding dreariness to the gloom, we don’t have much confidence that things will get any better in a year’s time, according to a new Gallup poll. The national pollster has conducted this particular survey three times, beginning in 2009. Back then, respondents were largely optimistic: 65 percent believed the economy would improve. However, with each succeeding year of this recession, that optimism has waned (to 45 percent and 37 percent in 2010 and 2011, respectively). Indeed, this year three-quarters of Americans think the economy either hasn’t changed or is worse than it was in 2010.

Here are results, as compiled between Sept. 15-18.

Source: Gallup.com