The Washington Post released a poll today that illuminates the sense of insecurity, disaffection, faith and hope among low-wage Americans (defined as people who work 30+ hrs/week and make $27,000 or less -- 22 percent of the adult population).

Consider:

78% said faith or religion play an important role in getting them through tough times, and 57% said it plays a very important role. 34% attend worship weekly or more often, and 36% attend occasionally.

NINETY percent rated the economy "not so good" or "poor."

A majority said they feel financially insecure (52%), but "somewhat secure" was the most frequently chosen response (42%). "Very insecures" outnumber "very secures" 19% to 6.

72% said their standard of living are the same as or better than their parents,' and 59% said their children's standards of living will improve.

85% like or love their jobs, and 78% feel their jobs are secure.

Large majorities say that in the past few years it has grown harder to find good jobs (75%), afford health care (74%), pay for college (74%), and get ahead financially (72%).

During the past year, 51% have postponed medical or dental care to make ends meet, and 31% have lost a job.

51% say they'd hit "real financial trouble" within a month if they suddenly lost their income.

This mixture of hope and anxiety and hard times shows us the human face of our economy. Even among our full-time workforce, there is a remarkable amount of insecurity. It's inspiring that faith is helping so many people through. The poll also contains a wealth of information about what low-income Americans want their government and their employers to do to help them. More on that tomorrow.