Americans think power is fading, but dream remains

We know the recession has been hard on our pocketbooks, but it seems it also has been a blow to American optimism.

Nearly 70 percent of Americans either strongly or somewhat agree the United States’ power is fading, according to a new survey.

About half also worry we will not be able to catch up with rising powers like China and India - although the majority still believe America can accomplish big things.

That’s according to a telephone survey of about 1,000 people conducted earlier this month by StrategyOne, a division of the public relations firm Edelman, and released Tuesday.

Nevertheless, about half of all Americans believe they are living the American dream - and three-fourths think it’s possible to "make it" in America.

Despite confidence in the American dream, the survey showcased some of the worries about future generations after several years of tough economic conditions, a long war in Iraq and other challenges. Now, some seem to be wondering whether the old adage will hold true that each generation will be more successful than the last.

Nearly one-third of those surveyed said they think people now in high school will have a worse life than they have had, while only about one quarter think high school students will have a better life.

In addition, 44 percent think people now in high school will live in a world filled with more wars and violence than they have seen. Only 9 percent are expecting a more peaceful world for today’s young people.