You're as well off as you think you are

We've likely all heard about the power of positive thinking. Though often pooh-poohed, there is a certain amount of logic to this belief. After all, whoever heard of someone accomplishing something significant -- the Thirteen Colonies besting the British Empire to create a democracy, Edison inventing the electric light, landing on the moon, without first believing it was possible? Now comes a fascinating Gallup poll that shows more than twice as many Democrats (54%) than Republicans (25%) describe the economy as "poor".

Wealth, it should be noted, is created during times of economic malaise. Therefore, perhaps the difference between the two parties is that where Dems believe the sky is falling, Republicans, with a more positive outlook, see an opportunity to invest in an undervalued economy.