Most Americans say the country's best days are behind it as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday, even as they're personally hopeful about the future. Why it matters: A new Pew Research Center analysis reveals national pessimism, fueled by political polarization and institutional distrust. But the findings also show the American spirit isn't completely broken. By the numbers: Nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults said in January 2026 they were dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country, c