Issues relating to both the cost and availability of energy are most likely causal factors in the drop in satisfaction, as a new Gallup poll also shows that the perception that energy is the nation s number-one problem has jumped substantially compared to just one month ago. Gallup s satisfaction measure has been trending downward for a number of months. Still, the current satisfaction reading is not out of line with what confronted the last two presidents when they took office for the first time. Generally speaking, in addition to the political party distinctions, those with the highest incomes and the highest levels of education are most satisfied, while those with lower incomes and lower educational levels are least satisfied.
Whites are more satisfied than nonwhites.
Energy Surges as Most Important Problem Gallup has been asking Americans to name the most important problem facing the nation for over 50 years. The question is typically asked near the beginning of the survey, and tends to pick up issues and problems that are heavily covered in the news. For that reason, the types of issues mentioned by Americans can vary significantly from month to month or year to year. The percentage of Americans mentioning health care as the nation s number-one problem soon fell again once the issue had moved out of the news. Although a slightly higher percentage of Americans mention some aspect of the economy, the data reflect the significant way in which energy has forced itself into the average American s consciousness during just a few short weeks.