Communities!
I believe that both online and offline communities will grow stronger during the tougher times.
I think people have become less offline community driven and that we will begin to see more activities that will grow stronger towns and cities. Just like it was in the days of the block party.
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I live in the US and I'm socially liberal on most issues. I am optimistic that we will move closer towards universal health care, support for gay rights, and less systematic racism in the United States.
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Big ideas, technological innovation, and entrepreneurism! I believe there is nothing wrong with having a great idea or belief in something that will change the world. I believe that big ideas, thoughts, and beliefs that people present will be the forefront to technological innovation. I believe that venture capital will be on the rise again, and more entrepreneurs will be able to make their companies and ideas come to life.
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I am optimistic about the desire for good in most people. There is a whole lot to be pessimistic about out there, but I have witnessed what the desire for goodness can do many times. All the people in New York and elsewhere who came together to rescue and rebuild after 9-11; people from all over the country who went to Louisiana after Katrina and Texas after Rita (my husband was one of them); complete strangers who will change tires for others, or millions of other little acts of kindness and generousity.

The big conglomerates out there: Big Agriculture, Big Pharma/Drug; Big Medicine; Big Education--who have thought they had a lock on forcing people to do things their way through financial and other incentives--maybe they are slightly less optimistic now that the Big Finance and Big Auto industries have slid downward. All those "big" industries can cause all kinds of life-changing pain for people who do not fit neatly into the roles those industries would wish them to. But the kindness, generousity, Random Act of Kindness and Pay it Forward actions of everyday people will continue to be the real force that moves the world forward.

I have friends from around the world, and I've been around myself. One thing they always tell me is that they are astounded how people in North America (not just the U.S.) are willing to pitch in and sweat for perfect strangers who need help. If we could spread one thing around the world, it would be that. It's love in action and it spreads hope.
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I am optimistic only about the things that I can control: myself. I am optimistic because I push myself as far as I can go in my mental and physical development. Money come and go, women come and go, friends come and go, I am the only one who remains. I am optimistic because since I began to trust myself, I have never let myself down. I am optimistic because I walk my own path and create my own success.
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I am optimistic for Gay Rights.
I believe in love and peace, and no one should be afraid to express their love for someone.
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I'm optimistic that the U.S. will finally become a force for good and can regain some of our reputation and goodwill with the rest of the world. I'm optimistic that finally the "war on terror" will become a focussed effort on reducing terrorist cells and not pointless wars. Actually, I'm hopeful that we will have fewer wars. I'm optimistic that we will overcome this economic depression and can make progress in spite of it -- or even because of it. I'm hopeful that the work on stemming some of the most devastating illnesses will finally result in cures or at least progress towards them. I'm hopeful that we can work towards understanding our fellow men and women rather than pushing our own thoughts and beliefs on those that do not want them. In short, I believe we can have a better life through an almost laser-like focus on what is important: health, achieving goals, success (in a win-win sense), or just keeping our heads above the water. Whatever is not helping us to achieve betterment is trivial and time wasting. And identifying the latter and eliminating them is no mean skill. I think we can overcome some of our short-sightedness in dealing with problems. In short, I hope; therefore, I am.
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I´m optimistic about the people, I think that all the people have somenthing good inside them, and if we belive this maybe we can change the world
Source(s):
brain

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well two main things pop into mind. My relationship with my girlfriend and getting the $10 on this question :-)
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MONEY, MONEY AND ONLY MONEY!!!!!!!!

http://blog.kir.com/archives/images/money.jpg
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