A new poll says Americans are optimistic about the future but not so much when it comes to our fractured government. The NPR-PBS News Hour-Marist Poll found 60% of Americans are optimistic about the world as the new year begins, compared to 37% who are pessimistic. Americans who are optimistic ranked family as the main reason. Jobs, health and finance also ranked high among optimists. Last year the number of folks who were optimistic was 54%. But when it comes to politics, only 10% were optimistic. For pessimistic Americans, 64% blamed the political climate for their negative outlook while 16% blamed the news. The poll shows Americans are focused on improving their own lives. That'sa what my mom always taught me...you worry about the things YOU can control...and that's a good outlook when you consider the current nonsense going on in Washington.