Americans are fairly upbeat about their own lives, but far more pessimistic when assessing the state of the nation. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of American adults say that they are better off now than they were four years ago. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 34% disagree and say they are not better off today.

At the same time, just 26% say the nation is better off today than it was four years ago. Sixty-two percent (62%) disagree and say it is not.

Looking to the future, 47% say they will be better off four years from now while 16% disagree.

As for the nation, 46% are not sure if the United States will be better off in four years. Thirty percent (30%) say it will be while 24% disagree.

A separate survey found that a solid plurality of Americans believe the nation’s best days have come and gone. Other recent surveys found a decrease in the number believing that American society is generally fair and decent.

On all the questions, men are more upbeat than women, Republicans more optimistic than Democrats, and Investors offer a more positive assessment than non-Investors.

On questions comparing themselves and the nation to four years ago, married Americans are more upbeat than those who are not married. There is little difference by marital status when people are asked to look to the future.

White Americans and Black Americans offer similar assessments when asked about their personal situation. White Americans are somewhat less pessimistic about the past four years for the nation while Black Americans are a bit more hopeful about the nation four years from now.

Republicans, by a 71% to 20% margin, say they are better off than they were four years ago. Democrats are evenly divided. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 56% say they’re better off while 36% disagree.

As for the nation, 52% of Republicans say the nation is better off than it was four years ago. Only 9% of Democrats agree.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Democrats say the nation is not better off today, a view shared by 69% of unaffiliateds.

Looking much further into the future, just 24% of all adults think the United States will be better off in one hundred years. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree while 42% are not sure.

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