This thread intended for my good buddies AO and Milkmun. The only two who have taken me up on my wager that the Republicans will maintain control of the House and Senate this fall. And ... I realize the pundits are on your side.

Americans Are Happy
By Mark Noonan

Interesting poll from Rasmussen:

Two-out-of-three Americans (68%) rate their own life as good or excellent. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,204 Adults conducted May 18, 2006 found that 22% rate their own life as fair while 9% say poor.
As per usual, I still hold that watching what people do rather than what they say is the proper rule of thumb - but with people buying houses, buying cars, going on vacation, I'd say we have a combination of do and say indicating happy people.
This is important for the political prospects - the Democrats, lacking any agenda supported by the American people, are counting entirely on discontent to raise them to political power this November; this poll, plus the actions of the people in their daily lives, do not indicate any strong discontent among the general population. Contented people tend to keep things as they are.