Gallup: Americans More Satisfied with Military, Security, Economy’; Less Happy About Health Care, Environment

Ahead of President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address, Gallup has polled Americans to gauge their satisfaction or lack thereof on issues ranging from the economy and national security to the environment.

The most striking partisan swing revealed in the poll relates to the economy, with Republicans’ (and Independents that lean right) satisfaction with it up 57 percent between 2017 and 2018.

Democrats’ satisfaction with the economy dropped 14 percent.

Overall, the polling found that Americans are more satisfied now with military readiness, national security, and the economy than they were at the end of President Barack Obama’s presidency, but less satisfied when it comes to health care, America’s image abroad, and the environment.

Gallup reported three areas — military, economy, and security — have the highest satisfaction ratings of the 21 issues asked about in the poll.

The acceptance of LGBT people and women’s status in the U.S. also have high satisfaction rates, according to Gallup. But the 58 percent rating for women is still down substantially from the 72 percent who were satisfied in 2008 — the last time the question was asked.

Gallup noted the decline in women’s status might be the result of sexual harassment and discrimination cases in the headlines in recent months.

Gallup found that Americans are least satisfied with the nation’s efforts to deal with poverty and homelessness.