(3BL Media) Northbrook, IL - August 28, 2012 - Although a majority of Americans (57 percent) are pessimistic about the current direction of the country, a full 60 percent believe that their own financial well-being is determined by their actions and not events out of their control. These findings, which demonstrate the continuing impact of the Great Recession on Americans and their personal finances, are drawn from The Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, which over three years has sought to understand the American experience and attitudes on the changing economy and to give voice to the concerns and views of middle class Americans. <br /><br />On August 30 and September 4, Allstate will host two summits in conjunction with National Journal and The Atlantic, which correspond with the Republican and Democratic National Conventions in Tampa and Charlotte, respectively. Both events will assemble leading figures from the worlds of politics, media, business, and academia to discuss the
