Looking to the Future, Public Sees an America in Decline on Many Fronts
Source: PewSocialTrends.Org
When Americans peer 30 years into the future, they see a country in decline economically, politically and on the world stage. While a narrow majority of the public (56%) say they are at least somewhat optimistic about America’s future, hope gives way to doubt when the focus turns to specific issues.
A new Pew Research Center survey focused on what Americans think the United States will be like in 2050 finds that majorities of Americans foresee a country with a burgeoning national debt, a wider gap between the rich and the poor and a workforce threatened by automation.
Majorities predict that the economy will be weaker, health care will be less affordable, the condition of the environment will be worse and older Americans will have a harder time making ends meet than they do now. Also predicted: a terrorist attack as bad as or worse than 9/11 sometime over the next 30 years.
These grim predictions mirror, in part, the public’s sour mood about the current state of the country. The share of Americans who are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country – seven-in-ten in January of 2019 – is higher now than at any time in the past year.
More at: https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2019/03/21/public-sees-an-america-in-decline-on-many-fronts/
= new reply since forum marked as read
mobilize in the streets on a grand scale. 
calling & emailing our Members of Congress (MOCs) on a regular basis would have more impact. The media can & does ignore marches. They under/over-report crowd size depending on the specific media's agenda. Second to voting, communicating with our Elected Officials is the most important thing we can do. And thanks to digital technology, we can do it quickly & frequently, & with ease! 
There should not be a week goes by where We the People don't fill up the voice mail/email boxes of Congress.
Put your reps email addresses & phone numbers in your contacts list. What 3-4 issues are the closest to your heart? Write up a 10-15 second message on those views/issues. Time it. You can cover a lot in 10 seconds if you are focused.
Health care, the environment, infrastructure, veteran affairs, whatever.
When a big issue comes up that Congress votes on, create a new message & leave it. But every week, leave at least one message for your Representative & two Senators about how you feel about the issues that are closest to your heart.
If you've never called before, here are some guidelines. You may get a person or voice mail, but the pointers are the same:
Always be polite
State your concerns/views, but be quick & concise. Most vmail systems give you a very limited amount of time before you are cut off. And if you are lucky to get a live person, they have limited time, too. Respect that. Let them know that you appreciate a live person to talk to.
If there is a specific piece of legislation that is being voted on, mention it, & why you are asking for their vote for a specific way.
If they are up for re-election, mention that, & how you will work for or contribute to their opposition if they don't improve their voting record. Or that you are happy with their voting record & want to continue to support them
If there is a Congressional ally you can mention regarding the legislation you are concerned about, do it! Senator Gardner (R-CO) recently spoke out against the Trump government shut down. When I called on-the-fence republican senators about the shut down, I mentioned Gardner & that I was a constituent of his. "I hope you vote with Senator Gardner, who is against the Trump shut down which will do more harm to Americans."
Leave your name & Zip Code. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. Yes, people can lie, but do this anyway. Truthfully. They deserve to know who's Constituent you are.
Let them know you pay attention & talk to your family & friends. And then do that! Get as many people as you know to commit to a weekly Call Your MOC campaign. Once you have written your three default messages, it takes less than 5 minutes a week to call your MOCs & leave a message. On special weeks it may take a few more minutes to compose a custom message.
What is a representative government worth to you*?
* The generic you, not the specific you.
are valuable and so important we need to never stay silent.
