Dissatisfied

Gallup reports:

In 2014, an average of 23% of Americans said they were satisfied with the way things were going in the U.S., similar to their views in recent years but on the lower end of what Gallup has measured since 1979.

These results are based on aggregated data from 13 different Gallup polls conducted in 2014 -- one per month with an additional conducted in late October and early November. This includes the reading from December, which is also 23%.

Although Americans are relatively dissatisfied with the way things are going, the 2014 average is substantially better than the all-time low of 15% in 2008, a year marked by a recessionary economy and the financial crisis.

Still, the 2014 average is well below Gallup's historical average satisfaction rating of 38%. The all-time highs were 60% readings in 1986, 1998, and 2000, which all came at times of sustained economic growth.