MIDDLE-CLASS America is feeling the pinch. A sample of the survey findings:

26 per cent said they had made no progress economically.

28 per cent said they had fallen backward.

10 per cent reported they had been laid off or otherwise lost their jobs.

18 per cent said they had trouble getting or paying for medical care.

25 per cent expressed worries that their job would be outsourced or that their employer would relocate in the coming year.

53 per cent said they had to cut spending because money was tight.

Whom to blame

26 per cent blamed the government.

15 per cent faulted the price of oil.

11 per cent said that the people themselves were responsible.

Others faulted foreign competition and private corporations for economic woes.