One-In-Five Homeowners Feels “Underwater” On Mortgages
Those who say their homes are worth less than what they owe on their mortgages are generally younger, less affluent and more likely to be Hispanic or African American than are those who feel they would at least break even if they had to sell today.
No Place Like Home — Even if the Value Is in the Tank
Not even a housing-led recession can shake Americans’ faith in the blessings of homeownership.
Jobs Worries Climb the Economic Ladder
For the public, the continuing financial crisis has been overtaken by a jobs crisis; the proportion citing jobs or unemployment as the nation’s most important economic problem has more than quadrupled to 42% since early October and concern about job loss has climbed steeply among affluent Americans.
The Globe’s Emerging Middle Classes
As economically developing countries grow prosperous, their middle classes understandably become more satisfied with their lives and their values become more like those of the publics of advanced nations.
Support for Stimulus Plan Slips, But Obama Rides High
Although support for the economic stimulus package has weakened over the last month, President Obama’s personal image is extremely strong with fully 92% of the public rating him a good communicator. And the belief that Obama represents a break from politics as usual is widespread, despite the highly partisan reaction to his economic stimulus proposal.
On Obama’s Desk: Economy, Jobs Trump All Other Policy Priorities
While it is not unusual for Americans to prioritize domestic over foreign policy, a new survey finds strengthening the economy and improving the job situation are higher priorities today than they have been at any point over the past decade, and the recent upward trend has been steep.
Who Expects To Gain — And Lose — Under Obama
More Americans say that people like themselves will gain influence under the Obama administration than was the case for the last two incoming presidents. Many who did not vote for Obama say this as well — including pluralities of all whites and white evangelical Christians.
Hispanics and the Economic Downturn: Housing Woes and Remittance Cuts
Latinos, especially the foreign-born, are feeling the sting of the economic downturn and, in some respects, even more so than the general population.
Latino Workers in the Ongoing Recession: 2007 to 2008
The current recession has seen a small but significant decline in the percentage of Latino immigrants active in the U.S. labor force; however, the absolute number of immigrant Latinos working or seeking work still increased slightly over the last year.
Bearish Outlook Fuels Consumer Cutbacks
Nearly six-in-ten who say they are cutting back or delaying purchases report they are doing so because they worry things might get worse. Fewer than one in four say they are cutting back because their own financial situation has worsened. Lower fuel and food costs do not appear to have had a positive impact on the public so far.
