Most Americans Agree: Optimism Trumps Despair in 2010

Despite a year that saw massive job loss, home foreclosures, dwindling bank accounts and a general sense of worry, Americans still held on to one crucial thing: hope.

A heartening new AP-GfK poll showed that a full four out of five Americans are optimistic about what 2010 will bring for their families — and we so love all the positivity.

Mari Flanigan of South Milwaukee, Wis. is one such lady who had a tough year in 2009 — financially, anyway — and isn't ready to permanently throw in the towel quite yet. She is currently unemployed after selling a family business that could not survive increased competition, but is now pondering a return to school to become a social worker.

"I'd rather make less money and do something I love," Flanigan told The Associated Press, noting that happiness and optimism are not strictly tied to finances.

In other upbeat news in statistics, some 72 percent of Americans said they're optimistic about what 2010 will bring for the country, a hopeful sign in the time of two wars and a struggling economy with a 10 percent nationwide unemployment rate.

And interestingly — or perhaps not, considering the inauguration of a Democratic president — but optimism for the country as a whole in the New Year is somewhat split along party lines. A full 87 percent of Democrats are optimistic about what 2010 will bring for the country, compared with 53 percent of Republicans and 73 percent of independents.

So yeah, maybe 2009 kinda sucked, but if positive thoughts lead to positive results, then we are feeling pretty optimistic about next year, too.

Photo courtesy of eocs via stock.xchang.