Two thirds of Republicans say the country is losing ground on the way the health care system is working, up from 41% in December 2008.

Three-quarters of adults say they are very satisfied with their family life; 19% are somewhat satisfied.

Just a quarter of the public knows that it takes 60 votes to break a filibuster in the Senate.

Only about a third of Americans in a fall survey expected better economic conditions a year hence. By contrast, in the midst of the Great Depression, and with another downturn in the offing, half of Americans still expected general business conditions to improve over the next six months.

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.

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