While the sustained economic boom of the 1990's probably supported all of these trends, including the increase in two-parent families, there is considerable agreement, even among skeptical policy analysts, that welfare change deserves considerable credit.
The charged political atmosphere makes some bankers skeptical that agreement is possible.
Careful journalists have noted that the polls indicate that two-thirds of Americans are skeptical an agreement would stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Though he backs the accord as the most that can be achieved diplomatically, Mr. Samore is skeptical that the agreement will open a new chapter in American-Iranian relations.
He said he was skeptical that the agreement was increasing the public good.
Some developers, however, are skeptical that any agreement will translate into substantial savings.
At the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, Bruce Broomhall, the international justice coordinator, said that this provision is a welcome development, but overall he remains skeptical of the agreement.
And members of both parties remain skeptical that an agreement can be reached, either on spending cuts in popular programs like agriculture and Medicare or on tax increases.
Many analysts have been skeptical that the agreement reached Thursday by European leaders, which calls for banks to accept a 21 percent cut in the value of their Greek bonds, will bring lasting relief to Greece or ease market tensions.
"We are highly skeptical that an agreement focused on regulatory harmonization' will serve consumer interests, workers' rights, the environment, and other areas of public interest," said a large coalition of American and European consumer groups in a statement.
