• December 30, 2008

Amidst the many headlines about automotive apocalypse, market meltdowns, and other economic woes, a new poll from the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion finds that the majority of Americans are looking forward to 2009, and are optimistic about what the future holds. While 40% are pessimistic, 56% are upbeat, especially women and respondents who are 45 and younger. Specifically, 62% of women and 50% of men think good things are going to happen next year, and 64% of those 45 and under believe the world will be a better place. (About 52% of those over 45 feel that way.)

The weak economy is definitely on their minds. The poll also asked about likely New Year's resolutions, and while the predictable "lose weight" and "stop smoking" came in first and second, financial changes vaulted into third place this year, with 12% of people saying they will resolve to either save more or spend less. ("Be a better person," which was No. 3 last year, slipped to seventh place, displaced by "exercise more," "eat healthier," and "improve health."--Sarah Mahoney