April 23, 2016 11:59 AM
State of the Nation
70% of respondents say that the country is on the wrong track. 24% say the country is headed in the right direction. [NBC/WSJ 4/10-14]First, let’s take a look at the “official” official unemployment numbers.
The official BLS seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2016 is 5%, the same as November 2015.
However, 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 current rate is 9.8%. [BLS data is based on those 16 years of age and older.]
In the first week of April, Gallup found an unadjusted unemployment rate of 5.6%. It also found an under-employment rate (unemployed +those working part- time but wanting full time) of 14.1%. [This is based on those 18 years of age and older.
The Pew Research Center has published a series of reports about the United States today.
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% of U.S. aggregate household income held by| 1970 | 2014 | |
| Upper income households | 29% | 49% |
| Middle income households | 62% | 43% |
| Lower income households | 10% | 9% |
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Which social classes do the Republican and Democratic parties favor?| GOP Party | Dem Party | |
| Poor | 2% | 31% |
| Middle class | 26% | 32% |
| Rich | 62% | 26% |
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There have been substantial changes in the diversity of potential American voters from 2000 to that projected in 2016.| 2000 | 2016 | |
| Asian | 2% | 4% |
| Hispanic | 7% | 12% |
| Black | 12% | 12% |
| White | 78% | 69% |
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The number of two-parent households is in decline.
| 1960 | 2000 | 2014 | |
| Two parents | 87% | 73% | 69% |
| One parent | 9% | 22% | 26% |
| No parents | 4% | 5% | 5% |
Compared to 50 years ago, life for people like you in America is
| Worse | Better | Same | |
| All voters | 46% | 34% | 14% |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 66% | 19% | 10% |
| Fem/Lean Dem | 28% | 48% | 17% |
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51% of Americans believe that it is the responsibility of the Federal government to make sure that all Americans have healthcare coverage.------
55% strongly favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally. 37% oppose that right. [Pew Research reports dated 12/15/15, 3/27/16, 3/31/16]50% of us believe that the Affordable Care Act is working relatively well, but it needs some fixes. 46% believe it is fatally flawed and should be repealed and replaced. [Bloomberg Politics Poll/Selzer & Company 3/22/16]
29% of Americans believe that abortion should be legal under any circumstances. 15% believe it should be legal in most circumstances; while an additional 38% believe it should be legal in just a few circumstances. 16% believe it should always be illegal. [CNN/ORC 3/20/16]
26% of Americans consider themselves to be Republicans, 34% consider themselves Democrats, and 34% say they are Independents. This is all but identical to how people described themselves at this time prior to the 2012 election. At this time in 2008, 27% described themselves as Republicans, 37% as Democrats, and 36% as Independents.
28% of us have a favorable image of the Republican Party, while 66% have an unfavorable opinion. The Democratic party is seen more favorably, with 46% of Americans having a favorable image and 48% having an unfavorable image. [ NYT/CBS 3/17/16]
