Bloomberg reports:
Americans have grown gloomier about both the economy and the nation’s direction over the past three months even as the U.S. shows signs of moving from recession to recovery. Almost half the people now feel less financially secure than when President Barack Obama took office in January, a Bloomberg National Poll shows. …
Fewer than 1 in 3 Americans think the economy will improve in the next six months. They are pessimistic that the government will succeed in reducing unemployment or lowering the budget deficit. A year into Obama’s presidency, only 32 percent of poll respondents believe the country is headed in the right direction, down from 40 percent who said so in September.
Even Democrats are souring: “the proportion saying the country is on the right track dropped to 58 percent from 71 percent in September.” Only 26 percent of independents think we’re on the right track, down 3 points from September.
Plainly the high unemployment rate has much to do with the national mood. There’s also a disconnect between what Congress and the White House are spending nights and weekends on — a health-care plan Americans don’t want — and the real top priority for Americans: “Eight of 10 Americans rate joblessness a high risk to the economy in the next two years, outranking the federal budget deficit, which is cited by 7 of 10. An increase in taxes is named as a high risk by almost 6 of 10.” The Obami can read the polls, too, which accounts for the “jobs summit” and another set of stimulus proposals.
But I suspect it will take more than dog-and-pony shows and serial stimulus plans to lift Americans’ spirits. They expect the Congress and White House to do something about what they care about and do it fast. Since the Democrats remain obsessed with their liberal wish list — climate control and ObamaCare, neither of which rates very high on the public’s list of priorities, incumbents run the risk of appearing disconnected from their constituents, if not downright clueless. Probably not a desirable position to be in going into an election year.
Many years ago (30?), when the New York Times had only two sections on weekdays, there was a story on the first page of the second section about a trip the Dalai Lama had made to a yeshiva in Riverdale in order to ask the rabbis how the Jews had survived for such a long time. “Our secret is that we always argue and we always disagree,” said the Head of the Yeshiva.
“No we don’t!” said another rabbi.
There will be elections as soon as one of the parties thinks it’ll be better off trying their luck with voters than in their present state.
Who, in the current circumstances, can think he is better off? There is not one party or PM candidate who has much chances. Natanyahu and Barak are former utter failures and Barak is an utter failure even now.
Israel is in a total leadership crisis–there’s no credible option — just at the point in time where it is existentially threatened. The best indicator: Assad has raised the peace agreement again. He would not do this with a strong leadership in israel, would he?
oao
http://fallofknowledgeandreason.blogspot.com/
David, I for one would be interested to see you write a post on why Israel is seemingly stuck with this awful government and what the prospects are for a more competent, more security-focused coalition to take its place.
jon,
i thought i replied to your question: because israel does not have better candidates for a better government.
just consider this for evidence:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/145662
There is actually no party or coalition of parties who can hope to improve on its current circumstances to the point of forming a government and be able to rule. the political elite is made of failed, corrupt and incompetent leaders whose main focus is to to survive.
Oao: yes, you did in brief, but I was looking for more detail! I will read the link you have above and see if it gives me the depth I wanted — thanks.
that link does not give depth. it just demonstrates that my reply is THE FULL reply. there is no further depth than leadership crisis.