New poll shows Americans dissatisfied with the state of the nation

The quality of life and opportunity to get ahead were the only two social dimensions that Americans viewed positively. However, those ratings have also dropped off since record highs in 2001 and 2002.

“Less than two-thirds are satisfied with the quality of life today or with the opportunity to get ahead through hard work, down from much higher levels as recently as January 2020,” Gallup said.

Just 20% said that they were satisfied with the nation’s moral and ethical climate; 24% percent were satisfied with the distribution of income and wealth; and only 27% found the size and influence of major corporations acceptable.

On some issues, Republicans and Democrats were in agreement. Nearly the same percentage of members of each party were satisfied with the influence of corporations, and a majority of both respondents from both parties said that they were satisfied with the quality of life.

“Satisfaction ratings with government power, corporate power and income inequality are all at or near their record lows,” Gallup said.

Still, many other areas saw wide gaps, with 56% of Republicans saying they were satisfied with the country’s gun laws, while just 12% of Democrats felt the same. Republicans were also broadly satisfied with the quality of the environment, and the positions of racial minorities and women.

Democrats were mostly satisfied with the nation’s military and security from terrorism.

The new findings come as President Joe Biden is set to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday.