A recent survey conducted in early December 2010 suggests that, while the smell of recovery is in the air (or is that the bullsh*t coming from government, the Fed, and mainstream media?), most of those in the trenches aren’t feeling too optimistic:

• 72% are dissatisfied with national conditions
• 89% rate national economic conditions as only fair or poor
• 55% say the nation is losing ground on the ability to compete economically with other countries
• 17% think the economy is now recovering while 33% say recovery will occur soon.
• 47% cite the job situation as the economic issue that worries them most, while 15% cite rising prices
• 51% say it is difficult to afford health care.
• 48% say the same about their home heating and electric bills.
• 29% say it is difficult to afford food.

Expect these numbers to continue rising, especially once the failure of our government to mitigate the economic crisis becomes apparent to those who are still asleep.

The December 2011 survey will likely show an increase in a number of areas, including those who cite rising prices as their primary economic concern and those who say it is difficult to afford food.

General sentiment, despite what we’ve been led to believe, is poor. Evidence of continued malaise is everywhere.