The Optimistic Leftist: Why The 21st Century Will Be Better Than You Think

FEATURING RUY TEIXEIRA – Americans are under severe stress about the nation’s political outlook. The American Psychological Association’s survey of nation-wide stress found that people began worrying about the presidential election as far back as the middle of last year. By January stress-levels were extremely high with, “more than half of Americans (57 percent) report[ing] that the current political climate is a very or somewhat significant source of stress.” The survey also found that, “Two-thirds (66 percent) say the same about the future of our nation, and nearly half (49 percent) report that the outcome of the election is a very or somewhat significant source of stress.” Those who monitor social media avidly suffer from greater stress than those who don’t.

It’s enough to lead to many of us into a deep pit of despair. But, my guest thinks that our mass pessimism is misplaced and could do real harm to the progress we are making, if only we would realize it. Ruy Teixeira’s new book The Optimistic Leftist, contends that, “the 21st Century Will Be Better Than You Think.”

Find more at www.AmericanProgress.org.

Ruy Teixeira, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, author of The Optimistic Leftist: Why The 21st Century Will Be Better Than You Think.