FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Some days it really does feel like the end of the world as we know it. There is pretty grim news everywhere you look - from the economy to international threats to natural disasters.
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And people are taking notice. A new Gallup poll shows only 23 percent of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. - that's far below the historical average of 40 percent.
When it comes to the economy, the stock market is taking a beating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had its biggest one-day drop in more than a year yesterday - nearly 400 points - and has dropped more than a thousand points in a matter of a few weeks.
One top economist, Nouriel Roubini, says the stock market will drop another 20 percent before this correction is over.
Investors are nervous about Europe's debt crisis, among other things. And it's not just Europe. Many worry America's skyrocketing deficits could soon put us on the brink of the kind of stuff Greece is going through.
Overseas, North Korea is threatening all-out war if South Korea retaliates for the North sinking one of its ships. Iran continues its march toward nuclear weapons and claims it could destroy Israel within a week if Israel attacks them first.
In the Gulf, a massive oil spill is threatening wildlife and entire industries up and down the Gulf Coast. And Mother Nature seems unhappy as well… with earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and Taiwan, floods in Tennessee and a volcano in Iceland that continues to spew ash and disrupt European air travel.
A lot to think about on a Friday night.
Here’s my question to you: How confident do you feel about the future?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Judy in El Lago, Texas writes:
Jack, Sadly I do not have much confidence in the future… There are so many unresolved issues in this country and I simply do not see them being resolved. Many speak of the American dream, and there are countless stories of those who have experienced it, but no more. We've sold out this great country and its citizens.
N. writes:
Very confident. America always ends up ok. The Democrats will lose power in Nov. Obama will be one and done. The future is bright. Besides, look at the past. Look at what we've lived through. We are pretty tough, no worries here.
Rita in Illinois writes:
Jack, Even if it sometimes gets worse before it gets better, I feel confident about the future. It might be a slow process but we'll inch slowly forward. The AP reported today that in April the jobless rate dropped in 34 states and DC, and held steady in 10 states. Inflation is down and so are interest rates. It's news like that we have to give more attention to. Two steps forward and one back, we're still gaining ground.
Rod writes:
I'm extremely confident about the future. It's the PRESENT that concerns me!
John writes:
I have 0% confidence in the future of my country. So much so, that I am currently researching other countries to determine a better place to live the rest of my years. I am done!
Beverly in Iowa writes:
I'm not much of a gambler, so I don't get involved with the stock market. Too risky. I only bet on sure things. As a native Chicagoan, I only wager that the Cubs won't win.
Buster in New York writes:
Hey Uncle Jack. Remember over a year ago when you and Wolf and I were doing shots of Obama Kool-Aid at the Capitol Lounge, hooting and hollering that Utopia was right around the corner? Oh well, it's nice to dream, but after reading this dreary blog post, I'm wondering if you guys wouldn't be interested in doing a few shots of Rev. Jim Jones Kool-Aid after work. If not, have a nice weekend, Mr. Happy.