According to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll most of American people believe the nation has the wrong direction in its development. Asked if things in the U.S. are generally headed in the right direction or are off on the wrong track, 52% said they were off on the wrong track. 36% of the respondents said the country was headed in the right direction.

Meantime, pessimistic mood of Americans in no way benefited Republicans, as majority of the polled said they would like to see Democrats control Congress after next year's mid-term elections. 46% of respondents confessed they want Democrats while 38% said Republicans.

Health-care overhaul plans were criticized by 42% with 38% who said they were a good idea. Meantime, government-run insurance plan option got 48% support compared to 42% opposition.

Only 42% of the polled expressed optimism in their view of the economy believing it will likely get better within the following 12 months. 24% said the things will get worse with 33% believing the economy will stay unchanged.