Most Americans hold negative views of the economy, foresee grim financial prospects for future generations, and believes Congress needs to act to address the econmic issues before it does anything else, according to a new poll conducted by George Washington University.
Seventy-seven percent of the 1,000 respondents in the nationwide poll of registered voters said they are at least somewhat worried about current economic conditions, with middle class voters being the most pessimistic.
The poll found that 31 percent of respondents believe the economy is getting worse, while 25 percent think the economy is poor and staying the same.
Only 11 percent said the economy is good or staying the same, and 30 percent believe the economy is getting better.
When asked what the most important issues facing the incoming Congress are, the economy came out on top, with 29 percent. Next was illegal immigration (15 percent), health care (12 percent) and foreign threats (9 percent).
"Two years into Obama's second term, the American public is worried and highly pessimistic about the state of the economy and the prospects of improvement for the next generation," said Christopher Arterton, George Washington University professor and director of the poll. "When the new Congress convenes in January, voters want the politicians in Washington to address this issue above all else."
The nation is nearly divided about what role government should play, with 52 percent saying the government should be more involved in problem solving and helping people, and should do so in a fairer and tougher manner.
Forty-eight percent of respondents said they favored a free-market approach over heavy federal involvement, and 43 percent think fewer regulations are needed and that the government is too heavily involved in areas that should be left to businesses and individuals.
The pollsters concluded that Democrats were hurt in 2014 by not "articulating a bold economic agenda for the country that went beyond piecemeal policy proposals," said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners.
"Democrats must fashion, hone and then campaign on an economic plan sufficient to the challenge at hand, or risk more election nights as dismal as the last one."
