My “Happy New Year” frame of mind was jolted to a depressing reality when I read a column in The Week—a favorite news magazine. An article in the “Poll Watch” section reveals the following:
69% of Americans are convinced that America is heading in the wrong direction. A whopping 72% now believe our country is not as great as it once was (Bloomberg Politics). 59% believe the economy is doing poorly (CNN/ORC) with 47% saying their family is scraping by, making only enough to pay the bills and other obligations. 19% say they cannot afford some basic expenses (NBC News). 61% believe the American dream is broken and that only the wealthiest can now get ahead (The New York Times/CBS News) and 56% believe most children in the U.S. will grow up to be worse off than their parents (NBC News).
A record 50% disapprove of the Supreme Court’s recent actions and 86% say they have an unfavorable opinion of Congress (Gallup). Notably, 55% believe “ordinary Americans” could do a better job of dealing with the nation’s woes than our current elected officials (Pew Research). And get this—50% of Pennsylvanians would rather be represented by the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil than by their current members of congress (Public Policy Polling).
83% of voters fear there’ll be a large-scale terrorist attack in the U.S. in the near future. (Washington Post/ABC News) and 60% think it’s likely that terrorists are living in their hometown (Fox News). 45% fear that the federal government could use a military exercise to covertly seize control of some states. 44% think machines with artificial intelligence could wipe out the human race (Monmouth University Poll).
What a passel of pessimism! Not exactly a great launch for the New Year. But followers of Christ ought never to look for comfort from their culture. Indeed, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”