November 6, 2015 12:00 PM
State of the Nation
64% of respondents, 80% of whom were Republican or Democratic primary voters, say that the country is on the wrong track. 25% say the country is on the right track. [NBC/WSJ 10/18/15] The CBS/NYT poll showed almost the identical result, with 64% saying the country is on the wrong track and 26% saying the country is on the right track. [CBS/NYT 10/25/15]The official BLS seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2015 is 5.1 %, the same as the previous month. The rate is down from 5.9% one year ago. If one takes into account the total unemployed + those marginally attached to the labor force + those working part-time who want full-time work, the rate is 10.0 %, down from 11.7% one year ago.
2.1% have been unemployed for 15 weeks or longer, down from 2.8% a year earlier. [Based on those 16 years of age and older.]
In the first week of October, Gallup found an unadjusted unemployment rate of 6.3%. It also found an under-employment rate (unemployed +those working part-time but wanting full time) of 14.1%. [Based on those 18 years of age and older.]
71% of voters do not believe that their voices are heard effectively in political and public policy discourse. 71% of Republicans have a similar view. Independents are even more negative with 81% having this view.
Democrats are a bit more positive, with only 63% having a negative view. [Winston Group 10/9/15]
54% of Americans believe that “the economic and political systems in the country are stacked against people like me.” 41% disagree.
47% believe that it is important to have a President “who stands up for his or her convictions.” 49% think it is more important for a President to “seek common ground.” [NBC/WSJ 10/29/15]
Over the last 10 years, the number of American adults who use social networking sites has grown from 7% to 65%. It’s no surprise that 90% of those 18-29 years of age use these sites, but so do 35% of those 65 years of age and older. This is up from 2% in 2005. [PEW 10/8/15]
There are substantial differences on immigration issues between Republicans and Democrats.
| Reps | Dems | Ind | Public | |
| Favor building a fence along Mexican boarder | 73% | 29% | 43% | 46% |
| Change U.S. Constitution so that parents mus be legal residents for their newborn children to be citizens | 53% | 23% | 37% | 37% |
| Undocumented immigrants should not be allowed to stay legally | 32% | 17% | 24% | 24% |
| [PEW 10/8/15] | ||||
