Pessimism rising across the nation

[ailsagirl]

Beneath fireworks' glare, Americans feel gloom

Paulina Arrillaga
AP
July 6, 2008

Even folks in the Optimist Club are having a tough time toeing an upbeat line
these days. Eighteen members of the volunteer organization's Gilbert, Ariz.,
chapter gathered a few days before this nation's 232nd birthday to focus on the
positive: their book drive for schoolchildren and an Independence Day project to
place American flags along the streets of one neighborhood.

They beamed through the Pledge of Allegiance, applauded each other's good news.
But then talk turned to the state of the Union, and the Optimists became decidedly
bleak. They used words such as "terrified,' "disgusted" and "scary" in discussing
what one called "this mess" the nation is in.

Then came the list of problems: war, $4-a-gallon gas, soaring food prices,
uncertainty about jobs, an erratic stock market, a tougher housing market, and so on.

One member's son is serving his second tour in Iraq. Another speaks of a daughter who
lost her job in the mortgage industry.

http://www.newsobserver.com/nation_world/story/1132222.html

[rucky]

1. As long as we're not bitter.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. People are getting scared

It's hard to have meetings any more, because folks can't drive to get to them. When I was in Springfield MO over the weekend, I was amazed at how few shoppers were in the stores. Our favorite restaurant closed early, in fact, and we fear that by next month it could be gone.

[ailsagirl]

4. It is frightening but are we surprised?? n/t

[ailsagirl]

3. They're just getting disillusioned NOW???

:shrug:

[rpannier]

5. They're optimists

Disillusionment is not allowed