America Is Not Happy With The Country's Direction By Don Potter Diamond Quality Author

Nearly 70% of US citizens are dissatisfied with the federal government's size and the power it wields. And 7 out of 10 adults surveyed believe the moral and ethical climate of the country is wrong, which represents a seismic attitudinal shift in less than a decade.
The Gallup organization first asked questions about the following topics in early 2001. Over the past ten years, the pollster asked questions about several aspects of American life. These included quality of life, effectiveness of government and the system, moral and ethical climate, individual opportunities to succeed through hard work, attitudes toward big business and the influence of religion.
In 2001, the numbers for federal government and how it works were the direct opposite from the poll taken earlier this year. Then, only 30% were dissatisfied with the size, influence and workings of government. The highest positives were recorded in early 2002, just a few months after the 9/11 attacks, when 76% indicated their satisfaction.
By contrast, this year only 29% of respondents indicated satisfaction with the size and influence of big business in their lives. Dissatisfaction was 67% The best ranking for major corporations was 50% satisfaction in 2002.
Better than half, 55%, of those surveyed said they were satisfied with an individual's opportunity to pursue the American dream and get ahead through hard work. The dissatisfaction level was 44%. As recent a 2008 satisfaction was 68% and dissatisfaction was 31%. Satisfaction was at 76% a decade ago.
Overall, 8 in 10 Americans are generally satisfied with the quality of their life, although this is declined by 6% over the past 2 years. Satisfaction with the influence of organized religion started the decade at 61%, spiked at 69% the next year and is now at 58%.
The moral and ethical climate in the country experienced large swings with the highest decade-long positive level registered in 2002 when 47% were satisfied compared to just 30% today.
With the public unhappy with big government and big business, they seem more reliant on themselves and on their individual faith to accomplish positive goals in the months and years ahead. This may explain why, with negative feelings about the moral and ethical climate of the times, an overwhelming number of Americans are still satisfied with their quality of life.
Now, we must do the things needed to accomplish worthwhile goals. As we do this, let us take the time to share our good works with others. Hopefully, they will do the same. And before we know it, America will be back on the right track. This will take us beyond petty political squabbling or worrying about what others have and put us in the position working together while reaching for our personal dreams.

Don Potter is a Philadelphia native and 50 year veteran of the advertising agency business. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written two novels in retirement and frequently writes and speaks on marketing issues. Potter is the founder and editor-in-chief of NewSeniors.com, the first online magazine dedicated to those 65+.