While a majority of Americans believe that next year will be better than 2010, there was far more optimism at the beginning of the year.

In a poll conducted at the very beginning of President George W. Bush’s first term in office, nearly two-thirds of Americans said that if his proposed tax cuts were passed they would benefit some people much more than others.

Fewer than half of Americans approve of Republican plans and policies in a post-election poll.

Only about one-in-five Americans expect relations between Republicans and Democrats to improve in the coming year.

Most Americans (55%) — but not most Republicans — say that Republican leaders in Congress should work with President Obama.

By more than a two-to-one margin, the public favors allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

More than six-in-ten Americans who plan to have a Thanksgiving meal with family members say that 10 or more relatives will be in attendance on Thursday.

Among internet users, 4% use a service such as Foursquare or Gowalla to share their location with friends online.