Politico links to a Gallup poll showing that 83% of Americans aren’t happy with the economy. My first thought is “Who are the 13% who are satisfied?” (The remaining 4% are undecided.)

The Tarrance Group also released some polling data today that adds to this picture of public dissatisfaction. They found that 66% think the country is on the wrong track, “while only 28% say things are moving in the right direction.” 56% of respondents think the federal government hurts rather than helps economic growth, and 44% think the next generation will not live the American Dream, compared to 43% who think they will.

On the policy front, 46% say less federal regulations are needed, while only 21% want more. That number is reflected in a survey of Harvard Business School alumni who think that on the regulatory front the United States is both uncompetitive compared to other countries and not moving in the right direction—a double whammy. It also fits with the U.S. Chamber’s most-recent Small Business Outlook Survey that found 68% reported that “taxation, regulation, and legislation from Washington make it harder for their businesses to hire more employees.”

The take away from these polls is the public doesn’t like where the economy is going, but doesn’t think more regulations are the answer.