Americans are furious about the state of their country. In the first of two articles, we examine the reasons for their discontent (see also article)

JOEL AND JACKIE BRENDE differ on many things. He's a Republican, and thrilled to have just shaken John McCain's hand at a town-hall meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. She's a Democrat, who supports Barack Obama because she thinks it is "time for a change". But both of them agree that America's star is fading.

"We were always optimistic when we were young. We thought that every year, things would get better," says Mrs Brende. But now: "The bubble has burst. I think my generation [will be] the last to see a great America." Her husband agrees. Standards are falling in schools, he frets. Young people are finding it harder to get ahead. "We've all been so greedy for so long and it has caught up with us," says Mrs Brende. She hopes that Mr Obama may be able to do something about the national malaise, but fears that "It's too late. The slide is on." ...