I keep hearing that Americans have turned optimistic about the economy. Not when it comes to the #1 problem in this country: lack of jobs.

While opinions of the current job market have improved from the last several months, more Americans than ever expect a higher unemployment rate a year from now.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of American Adults believe unemployment will be higher in a year’s time, up 13 points fromOctober  and the highest level of pessimism measured in several years.