Public pessimism on economy reaches a high (CNBC)

A record 69% of the public holds negative views about the economy both now and in the future, according to the CNBC All-America Economic Survey, the highest percentage in the survey’s 17-year history. About two-thirds of Americans believe their wages are falling behind inflation, and another two-thirds say the nation is headed for recession or is already in one. Despite the negative views on the economy, 63% of employed Americans are not worried about losing jobs, up five points from November. And 37% of respondents expect their wages to increase in the next year, a bit above the average of the past several years.