A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 21% of American voters believe the United States is heading in the right direction. That’s up a point from a month ago but down from 27% a year ago and from 43% in Election 2004.

Seventy-one percent (71%) say the nation has gotten off on the wrong track.

A separate survey shows that just 15% believe that Congress is doing a good or an excellent job.

Today, just 6% of Democrats say the country is heading in the right direction while 87% say wrong track. Republicans are more evenly divided, with 39% saying right direction and 50% taking the opposite view. Among those not affiliated with either major party, just 21% say the country is heading in the right direction. Compared to a month ago, those figures reflect a bit more pessimism for Republicans and a bit more optimism for unaffiliateds.

In the 2006 survey, those saying right direction in cluded 48% of Republicans, 12% of Democrats, and 29% of unaffiliated voters.

Just 25% say that the nation is better off than it was four years ago while 64% disagree. Looking ahead, 30% say the nation will be better off four years from now. Nineteen percent (19%) disagree while most (51%) are not sure.

Republicans, by a 32% to 17% margin, say the nation will be better off in four years. Democrats, by a 28% to 13% margin, tend to agree. But, it’s worth noting that a majority in each party is not sure what the next four years will bring. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 29% say the nation will be better off, 28% disagree, and 42% are not sure.

A recent survey found that pessimism concerning the War on Terror declined slightly during September but 59% of Americans still want the troops to come home from Iraq soon.

Heading into Election 2008, government ethics and corruption is the top issue on voters’ minds.

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of men say the nation is heading in the right direction. Sixteen percent (16%) of women agree.

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