Wednesday, October 1, 2008

America's Mood

While doing research, I stumbled across the results of the Reuters/Zogby Index (RZI), which attempts to use the results of 10 different monthly polls to measure the "mood" of America. The September 2008 results show an increase from August's results (91.9) to September's results (96.3). The RZI began at a level of 100 in June 2007. A level above 100 indicates America's mood has improved, while a value less than 100 indicates a decline.

A breakdown of the September Results as compared to the August Results:
  • Congress's Approval Rate: Increased from 9% to 13%.
  • President Bush's Approval Rate: Decreased from 29% to 28%.
  • Approval Rating of President Bush's Economic Plan: Decreased from 15% to 13%.
  • Approval Rating of United States Foreign Policy: Remained steady at 25%.
  • People who considered themselves in good economic standing: Increased from 47% to 52%.
  • People who felt they had good job security: Increased from 61% to 64%.
  • People who feel the United States in "on the right track": Increased from 23% to 25%.
  • People who are proud of the United States: Increased from 87% to 91%.
  • People who felt safe from foreign threats to the United States: Increased from 84% to 86%.
  • People confident that their children would have better lives than themselves: Increased from 64% to 68%.
The following two polls are not part of the RZI, but were reported anyways:
  • People who will spend less money on holiday gifts this year than they did last year: 45%.
  • People who will spend the same amount of money on holiday gifts this year as they did last year: 46%.

Although President Bush's ratings are for the most part deteriorating, faith in the country, the economy, and the future seem to be increasing. And isn't that what America is all about?

2 comments:

hamilton_philip@wheatoncollege.edu said...

While I agree that pride in our nation is what America is all about, but it isnt the only thing it is about. Despite statistics such as the ones that you present, which are hopeful, we need to hold our leaders responsible for their actions. Just because faith in our country has increased, doesnt mean that we should let leaders off the hook.

Schwa said...

I read this post differently than Phil. It seems like Nick is being a bit tongue-in-cheek with the "isn't that what America is all about" at the end. Of course, I may be misinterpreting the tone.

I also wonder if these slight but across-the-board increases in the RZI reflect a certain eagerness to be done with the current administration. I think that people who are supporting both candidates at this point are eager to move on, and it's possible that we're seeing some of that in these numbers.