Study: Americans Mostly Optimistic About Nation, Opportunities

Aug. 13, 2009 – Most Americans surveyed continue to view their nation as one offering opportunity, but they also express anxiety regarding the future, according to results of a recent poll commissioned by the Allstate Corporation and the National Journal.

The “Heartland Monitor poll” is designed to assess how Americans are coping with the recent economic downturn and help determine what they expect the nation’s job providers and federal and local governments to do to help improve economic conditions. Survey results indicate 87 percent of respondents agree America is the “Land of Opportunity,” but a plurality also indicated they think children growing up today will have fewer opportunities for success as adults.

Although many suggested the future will be less prosperous for children, most of those surveyed did not share the same gloomy outlook for themselves. Some 67 percent of respondents said they are confident they will do fine financially within the next five years with 54 percent saying their job skills and not the economy will responsible for their short-term success.

“What we know is that the current economic crisis has been a game-changer with Americans. They are re-evaluating their own skills and the education they need to compete in the global marketplace as well as questioning the effectiveness of government to create economic opportunities for them,” said Thomas J. Wilson, Allstate’s president and chief executive officer. “However, Americans still believe in America. They have not wavered from the fundamental belief that America is the land of opportunity for anyone willing to work hard.”

When it comes to generating economic opportunity, survey respondents indicated a general distrust of government with 52 percent saying government typically creates obstacles to economic success. Instead of relying on government, a slight majority – 54 percent – cited obtaining a college degree as essential to creating success, although half agreed the cost attending college is an economic burden. Some 40 percent of those surveyed indicated getting a bachelor’s degree was a “ticket to the middle class.”

While a majority agreed a college education is a key element to success in America, a majority of those surveyed also agreed a rising trend of people changing jobs, companies and careers increases their personal level of instability and risk.

The Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor poll was conducted between July 5 and July 12 and surveyed 1,202 adult Americans. The poll was the second conducted this year to help assess how Americans are handling the recent economic downturn that has seen unemployment rise to its highest level in 30 years.