---
title: "America Losing Ground"
description: "Majorities or pluralities of Americans think the country is losing ground on nine of 12 major issues."
date: "2011-01-06"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2011/01/06/america-losing-ground/"
categories:
  - "Social Security & Medicare"
---

# America Losing Ground

Asked to assess the progress, or lack thereof, the country is making on 12 issues, a majority of plurality of the public sees America losing ground on nine major issues. Large numbers of Americans see the country losing ground on the budget deficit (67%), the financial condition of Social Security (64%), the cost of living (64%), and the availability of good-paying jobs (63%). A majority sees the country losing ground on the rich-poor gap (58%), the ability to compete internationally (55%) and the financial condition of Medicare (51%). On no issue asked about do more than three-in-ten Americans see the country making progress. A plurality, though, at least sees the country “staying about the same” on international terrorism and environmental pollution. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1829/2010-tough-year-public-downbeat-national-conditions)