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Show OA Friday, June 20, 2008 I H E R A L D Y A3 On poll: Most say U.S. on wrong track AP-Ips- os Tom Raum THE ASSOCIATED I PRESS wrong. I think there's a lot of reasons for households to be pessimistic. I think things have gotten tougher for most," said Mark JZandi, chief economist of Moody's Economy.com. The survey results also parallel the drop in a consumer confidence index to the lowest level since June 1980, when Jimmy Carter was in the White House and consumers were being battered by a recession and soaring gasoline ' WASHINGTON Wherever the nation should be headed, this isn't it. The number of Americans who believe the country is moving in the wrong direction has risen sharply, to nearly eight in ten, amid soaring food and gas prices, falling home values and unending war. Just 17 percent say the country is going in the right direction, ac- prices. cording to an poll. Among the findings of the The number is the lowest ever recorded by the'survey, which began in 2003. When other surveys are taken into account, the general level of pessimism is the worst in almost 30 years. And it's getting worse. The 17 percent positive reading was down from 24 percent just AP-Ips- I Men were more likely than women to think that the U.S. is headed in the right direction 20 percent to 14 percent. I Just one in 10 Americans with household incomes below $25,000 feel the country is headed the right way compared with 21 percent of those with household incomes of $50,000 to $75,000. of RepubliI cans (including those who said they were leaning Republican) believe the country is headed One-quart- 80 percent 70 60 - " Wroagtrack Right direction : 50 I 40 10, i June Dec Feb 8 Apr 6 Sept July ': 1 Oct Aug 4-- AP-Ipso- - Nov. 8 9 2007 NOTE: Pol! ol 9 Jan. Mar June 2 2008 about 1 ,000 adults M8E ST0REWIDE SAVINGS since April. Those who said the country was on the wrong track totaled 76 percent of the people contacted in the survey, which was taken from June That's up from 71 percent in April and 66 percent near the end of 2007, Six in ten of those who chose wrong track blamed the struggling economy, with gasoline prices hovering above $4 a primary reason. "Poor leadership" accounted for 23 percent, while 20 percent said the war in Iraq. right direction. Would you tay thing In this country are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track? in the right direction, comthings in this country are heading in the right direction, pared with 11 percent of Democrats (including those leaning or are they off on the wrong track?" The survey entailed inDemocratic). I People with lower incomes terviews with 1,000 adults, 785 were mofe likely to frame the of them registered voters. It economic situation as their had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points own "cost of living," while wealthier people listed the for all respondents, 3.5 percent economy more abstractly-- ?- a for registered voters. sign that those hurting the most personalize the issue a bit ft Associated Press Director more. of Surveys Trevor Tompson, s and AP Writer Christine People in the Simmons contributed to this survey were asked: "Generally speaking, would you say report. survey: AP-Ips- the wrong track Seventeen percent of Americans say the country is headed in the & VALUES NOW THROUGH SUNDAY ON 'MMagssa J 12-1- HURRY IN FOR SIZZLING SAVINGS ON FURNITURE AND AREA RUGS MAGYS.COM SHOP fOR FURNITURE AREA RUGSONUNt. r Af) Robert Ovitt, 57, of Derby, Vt., who describes himself as a political independent, was among those who selected "wrong track." "It scares me, the way things are going now," said Ovitt, who is facing retirement in the next five years from his job as a correctional officer. "Ten years ago, we had a Democratic president, Clinton," and the worst that happened was his affairs, Ovitt said. Back then, gas prices, interest rates, unemployment and the federal budget deficit were low, he said. "Now that we have a Republican, everything is sky high. ... I mean I don't know how we're going to survive." Shirley J. Bailey, 70, of Las Vegas, is already retired. The former Los Angeles dentist, who worked as a precinct captain for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, said, "People are struggling to live and educate their children." Married with four children and 11 grandchildren, Bailey said, "Just look around us. In my entire lifetime, I never paid $4.23 for a gallon of gas. The foreclosures are among the highest here in Las Vegas." President Bush's approval rating was 29 percent in the low of poll, near his e 28 percent in April, while 67 percent said they disapproved of the way he was handling his job. Congress, under Democratic control since January 2007, drew even lower approval ratings: 23 percent approved, 72 percent disapproved, roughly the same levels as in the April survey. Asked about their party affiliation, 37 percent identified themselves as Democrats, 23 percent said they were Republicans and 23 percent said independents. That breakdown underscores the importance of independents in the presiden- tial contest as both Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama court their support. Software consultant April Dolan, 40, of Scottsdale, Ariz., is a Republican who believes the country is heading in the right direction. "I'm optimistic in general, and I do believe that the economic situation will probably get better in the next 12 to 18 months. I believe it's going to turn around, it's just going to take some time," she said. "Not that everything I think is great. I mean, the oil prices are a nightmare." She said she has two sons, one already in college and the other due to enter next year. She said she supports Bush and "I don't blame him for the state of the economy." Many others appear to, however. Asked about Bush's handling of the economy, 72 percent said they disapproved, 48 percent strongly so; 24 percent said they approved, 7 percent strongly. The survey reinforces the notion that consumers are particularly gloomy possibly more than economic statistics justify. Despite record energy costs, slumping stock prices and the housing and credit crunch, reports show the economy to be still growing, if slowly. Inflation and interest rates remain at relatively tame levels. And the unemployment rate is lower than it was during the past two recessions, in 1990 and 2001. Still, "For the average American, everything's going 'i - fc-- St SALE I , $699 V- ,n ' .I.., I., n,... pi ""f""' j : VERSA MODULAR SECTIONAL .wii,,,, r 1 . SALE $2499 VICE Only at Macy's and only at $124 a month. Design your own seating arrangement with two corner units, three armless chairs and one ottoman in white, black, red or brown tufted leather. Reg. $5149. Corner unit. Reg. $1050, sale $800. Armless chair. Reg. $850, sale $600. Ottoman. Reg. $499, sale $399. lga I i.,. j SALE $3799 CORONA SOFA Only at Macy's and only at $23 a month. 81 sofa with track arm and button back in pear, cafe noir or stone acrylicpolyesternylon. Reg. $899. 60 love seat. Reg. $849, sale $649. Chair. Reg. $699, sale $549. Accent chair. Reg. $849, sale $649. Simply Modern cocktail table. Reg. $699, sale $499. Round end table. Reg. $499, sale $399. is. ; iifV i ALL AREA RUGS ON SALE CONTEMPORARY QUEEN BEDROOM SET Only $82 a month. 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We will SHOP, CALU CLICK: 3 GREAT WAYS TO FIND YOUR MATTRESS Click on macys.com Shop over 400 Macy's stores Call FURNITURE CLEARANCE: EXTRA 10 OFF PRICES ALREADY REDUCED40-6- 0 the magic of macys macys.com "Lowest price(s) of the season" refers to the season from May 1 through July 31, 2008. Prices may be lowered as part of a clearance. .: uA ..ii ...... ic ci ii ivDAin dv ntv nrrii-r- r orcr iui .Lcad rtuc m.nrrr duiueun uic tire run l. luinuuuiidi i tnn ir tuuli rniLf di mi-ur- r uaidiii.c Iiiuiii uir iiaiiai.uuii udic diiuJ an aLLiucu cilia iiw iiirrBcfT uic cnuic rmrtriLC V.nHriVL3 vnt vcad unl c. ritnn rnininc knnnuu tuin micnui run rVomotlonal period will be added to your account if the promotional balance Is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period or if you fail to make a required payment on your account when due. rMinimum monthly payments of the greater of $5.00 or 3.25 of your promotional balance which calculation is rounded up to the nearest dollar) are required plus any minimum payment otherwise due. Making the minimum monthly payment will not pay off your promotional balance in time to avoid FINANCE CHARGES. See below for details." f. IF FULLY PAID BY down payment. NO PAYMENTS & DATE. Requires a minimum purchase of $1000 from qualifying departments charged to your Macy's Card, and a 25 6 MONTHS WHEN YOU USE YOUR MACY'S CARD. Charge a minimum purchase of $500 plan) or $750 plan) in the furniture or area rug department; $300 deferred period, you will be billed under the terms of your Major Purchase plan) or $500 plan) in the mattress department to your deferred payment and interest account. After your 3- - or Account. All credit plans subject to credit approval. For all credit plans described above, any FINANCE CHARGE will be determined by applying an ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of up to 24.9, based on your credit history, to the account's Average Daily Balance, with a minimum monthly FINANCE CHARGE of $1.00. Deferred offers good through July 6, 2008. WITH OUR VERY LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN, you can extend payments on major purchases of $300 or more in designated departments. Subject to credit approval. Actual minimum monthly payment on Major Purchase Accounts may vary depending on outstanding balance, additional purchases, payment dates and applicable finance charge rates. See your credit card agreement for details. Any FINANCE CHARGE will be determined by applying an ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of up to 24.9, based on your credit history, to the account's Average Daily Balance, with a minimum monthly FINANCE CHARGE of $1.00. Furniture must be delivered, and a delivery fee will apply. Area rugs are not available by phone order. If area rugs are delivered, a fee will apply. Mattresses must be delivered with a minimum $65 fee in our normal delivery zones (except where dock pickups available at selected stores for a $20 fee). Ask your sales associate for further information on delivery and restocking fees, and other policies. Mattress photos are for illustration only. Mattresses and most furniture Items shown carry warranties. To obtain a manufacturer's warranty before purchasing, visit a store or write to Macy's, P.O. Box 52039, Phoenix, AZ 85072, Attn: Consumer Warranties. RUGS AVAILABLE ttNO INTEREST NO INTEREST FOR ONE YEAR FOR 3 OR GALLERIES. FOR FURNITURE AND MATTRESS LOCATIONS, USE THE ONLINE STORE LOCATOR AT MACYS.COM. REG. & ORIG. PRICES ARE OFFERING PRICES, AND SAVINGS MAY NOT BE BASHD ON ACTUAL SALES. SOME ORIG. PRICES NOT IN EFFECT DURING THE PAST 90 DAYS. FURNITURE SALE PRICES IN EFFECT THROUGH JUNE 22, 2008. AREA RUG AND MATTRESS SALE PRICES IN EFFECT THROUGH JULY 6, 200B, EXCEPT AS NOTED. Due to consolidation be different at your local Macy's. You will receive prices at or lower than prices advertised here. Extra savings some AT MOST FURNITURE , prices may are taken off already-reduce- d saleclearance pricevOrig.Now and Special Purchase items will remain at advertised prices after event and are available while supplies last. Sales apply to selected items only. from excluded "sales" are Values and This advertisement Card Everyday applies to Macy's stores in WA, OR, ID, MT, UT and WY. Prices and merchandise may differ on macys.com. couponsMacy's savings. Advertised items may not be available at your local Macy's, and selections may vary. Also shop macys.com. X macysJOBS.com Explore the possibilities! Apply online or at any Macy's store. EXTRA 15 c Like what you see? Order it here. OFF WITH A NEW MACY'S CARD Your first Star Reward when you open an account. Exclusions and limitations apply; see store for details. |