Congress passed and the president signed last week a fiscal cliff deal that would prevent some income tax increases, but would delay the sequester spending cuts for two more months. The deal let expire a 2010 payroll tax cut (resulting in a tax increase for 77 percent of Americans) and did nothing to reform the country’s tax system or entitlement programs. According to Rasmussen, 46% of likely voters approve of the deal, while 46% also disapprove.

The nation’s unemployment rate has been above 7.5 percent for four full years. Americans are beginning to wonder if high jobless rates are here to stay. According to Gallup, 47% of adults think America’s best days are ahead of it. 50% think the country’s best days are behind it.

The economy has grown for the last 13 quarters in a row. Still, many Americans still feel like the U.S. is in a recession. According to ARG, 36% of adults think the economy is in a recession, 33% think it is not, and 31% are not sure.

The nation has seen budget deficits exceeding $1 trillion for fours years in a row. Will 2013 be different? According to Gallup, 13% of adults think 2013 will be a year where the federal budget is generally balanced. 85% think it will be a year of budget deficits.