The recent headline in the New York Times proclaimed:  

“81% IN NEW POLL SAY THE NATION IS HEADED ON THE WRONG TRACK.” 

When you read the body of the poll (by the New York Times and CBS News) the numbers tell an oddly contradictory story. 

“How would you rate the financial condition in your household—72% Good, 27% Bad 

“In the last couple of years have you been….”Getting Ahead or Staying Even, 71%, Falling Behind, 28% 

“How concerned are you that someone in your household might be looking for a job in the next year---Not at all Concerned, 45%; Somewhat concerned  26%, Very Concerned, 28%” 

As usual with these polls, in other words, the respondents make a clear distinction between the state of the country at large (which they learn about from the media) and their own situation (which they know first-hand). 

The contradiction looks as striking as always – 72% who say their own financial condition is “good,” while 81% say the nation at large is on the wrong track. 

Once again, the people express the sense that “I’m Okay…. But everybody else is in a mess.” 

When a majority embraces this puzzling contradiction, it’s evidence of confusion and uncertainty – not desperation.