Axios ran a poll last week and, well, the results weren't that great.
- More than half of U.S. adults say they're fearful for what the year 2022 holds in store for both the U.S. (51%) and the world (54%).
- In addition to the grim outlook for the U.S. and the world, adults have less hope for themselves. 30% say they're more fearful about what 2022 holds in store for themselves.
- Covid fatigue: 35% said they'd like to hear less about COVID-19 in 2022.
- Amid current concerns of inflation and economic woes, 50% expect 2022 to be a bad year for the U.S. economy.
- Politics remains top of mind for many: 17% cite ‘democracy' as the most important issue—second to "jobs and the economy" at 31%.
Yeah, like I said...
'Merica needs a healthy dose of hope, neighborly cheer, and optimism right now.
Let's check in with the president:
Um... okay, let's not check in with the president.
Here's a graphic from Axios to help us see just how dismal Americans' attitudes are right now:
Yikes. I wonder if the 24/7 news cycle about fear, fear, and more fear might have contributed to this.
Oh well, I hear being a Dark Lord of the Sith is pretty cool!
Here's some words people want to hear less of in 2021:
Hoo boy.
More from Axios:
- While Republicans were more pessimistic than Democrats and independents both years, all three groups turned more negative in this year's survey, with 69% of Republicans, 45% of Democrats and 47% of independents saying they were more fearful than hopeful.
- In addition, 51% said they were more fearful than hopeful about what's in store for the U.S. in 2022, including 66% of Republicans, 41% of Democrats and 46% of independents.
Democrats are still holding out hope, it seems, that Joe will save them from Covid and their sins.
Yeah, okay, so that's nice.
There is one small sliver of optimism still in there, however.
- People's embrace of "travel" as what they want to do more of in 2022 is one sign that Americans still have hope for the future.
Good thing leaders aren't implementing travel restrictions and vax passports! It'd be especially bad if the president decided to do something as stupid and unconstitutional as banning the unvaxxed from planes.
Anyway, I'm sure a little more fear won't lead to the catastrophic end of our nation and our civilization.
