More than two thirds of Americans believe the U.S. economy is either in recession now or will be in the next year, according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.
That assessment comes despite the fact that, since the recession that ended early in President Bush's term, the U.S. economy has experienced sustained growth with low inflation and unemployment and generally rising stock values.
The NBC/Journal poll also reflected some mixed feelings about the economy. Just 15% and 16%, respectively, rated current conditions as very good or very bad. Yet growth in consumer spending has slowed, and concerns over health costs, job security and the rich-poor gap have left Americans downbeat about the road ahead.