The public is more pessimistic than optimistic about various aspects of American life.
Here is how they feel about a few items.
| Pessimistic | Optimistic | Neither | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The moral and ethical standards in our country | 63% | 16% | 16% |
| Our country’s ability to ensure racial equality for all people | 59% | 20% | 17% |
| The Institution of marriage and the family | 40% | 25% | 29% |
White adults, older adults, and Republicans are more pessimistic about the institution of marriage and the family.
| Pessimistic | Optimistic | Neither | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All adults | 40% | 25% | 29% |
| White | 43 | 25 | 29 |
| Black | 30 | 29 | 29 |
| Hispanic | 34 | 29 | 31 |
| Asian | 40 | 26 | 30 |
| Ages 18-29 | 32 | 23 | 37 |
| 30-49 | 38 | 25 | 32 |
| 50-64 | 41 | 28 | 25 |
| 65+ | 48 | 26 | 23 |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 56 | 20 | 21 |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 25 | 32 | 36 |
About half of adults say fewer children being raised by two married parents will have a negative impact on the U.S. in the future.
| Negative | Positive | Neither | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fewer children being raised by 2 married parents | 49 | 11 | 39 |
| More couples living together without being married | 29 | 15 | 55 |
| People getting married later in life | 9 | 34 | 57 |
About 52% of Republicans and 23% of Democrats say fewer people getting married will have a negative impact on the future of the country.
By the close, Beyonce’s 56 show Renaissance World Tour will have generated $4.5 billion for the American economy, about as much as the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. [NYT 10/1/23]
The novelist Larry McMurtry (“The Last Picture Show”) died in 2021 at age 84, spent every morning writing. He averaged five to ten pages a day, every day, his entire life. [NYT 10/1/23]
The following was created by Gerry Kauvar.
A MODEST STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM
May I have a student on loan?
To help me to maintain my home?
No need to study — free beer and Molly.
No requirement to study by golly.
Your sororities and fraternities
Will provide many candidacies.
Your athletic teams may as well,
But no liberal arts kids are to ring my bell.
My requirements are very modest,
Don’t send anyone who is too honest.
They’ll mingle with wing nuts and vaccine deniers,
Writers of commercials and other liars.
Pay no attention to diversity,
Or the ranking of their university.
I’ll show them America can’t be bested,
And bail them out if they’re arrested.