Topics At A Glance: Business

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(Now I'm going to read you a list of institutions in this country. For each one, please tell me if you are extremely confident, very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all in the people who are running each institution.)...Small and local businesses...Would you say you are extremely confident, very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all in the people who are running...small and local businesses?

%
11		Extremely confident
37		Very confident
41		Somewhat confident
4		Not too confident
4		Not confident at all
1		Don't know
*		Refused

Associated Press/National Constitution Center/GfK Poll, [Aug, 2012]

My next questions are about major companies. By this I mean major companies that do business in the United States, whether or not they also do business in other countries....In general, how much trust and confidence do you have in major companies to do the right thing? A lot, some, not too much, or none?

Public Affairs Council Public Affairs Pulse Survey, [Jun, 2012]

(Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one--a great deal, quite a lot, some, or very little?)...Small business

Gallup Poll, [Jun, 2012]

Honesty and Ethical Standards/Trust in Business

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Please tell me how you would rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields--very high, high, average, low, or very low? How about...advertising practitioners?

Gallup/USA Today Poll, [Nov, 2012]

(Please tell me how you would rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields--very high, high, average, low, or very low?) How about...bankers?

Gallup/USA Today Poll, [Nov, 2012]

(Please tell me how you would rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in these different fields--very high, high, average, low, or very low?) How about...business executives?

Gallup/USA Today Poll, [Nov, 2012]

Corporate Scandals

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Recently, there have been a number of cases of controversial corporate behavior--which one of these most bothers you?...The oil spill by BP (British Petroleum) in the Gulf of Mexico, the Countrywide subprime mortgage case, the Goldman Sachs selling investment products, the Bernard Madoff investment fraud, the issue with Toyota's acceleration problems

%
31		The oil spill by BP in the Gulf of Mexico
26		The Countrywide subprime mortgage case
22		The Goldman Sachs selling investment products
13		The Bernard Madoff investment fraud
5		The issue with Toyota's acceleration problems
1		All of them (Vol.)
1		None of them (Vol.)
1		Not sure

Note: Asked of Form B half sample
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [May, 2010]

Next I'd like to ask about some things that have been in the news. Please answer as best you can. If you don't know the answer just tell me and we'll move to the next question....Which financial institution is being sued by the government for fraud?...Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press News Knowledge Survey, [Apr, 2010]

(How much if anything, have you heard about each of the following? Have you heard a lot, a little or nothing at all?)...The Securities and Exchange Commission filing a lawsuit alleging that Goldman Sachs committed fraud

Pew Weekly News Interest Index Poll, [Apr, 2010]

Influence and Power of Business

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Now I'm going to read you a statement that Barack Obama might say about our country. After I read this statement, please tell me whether this statement would make you much more likely to vote for Barack Obama, somewhat more likely, a little more likely, no more likely, or less likely to vote for Barack Obama. When I look at our great challenges, I say, we're all in this together. But the Republicans say, you are your own. Well that's given us a country of just rich and poor and the well-connected using their power to get more tax cuts and breaks. Well, we need to make our country work for the middle class again. Clean up lobbyists and big money. Let's keep taxes low for the middle class and small businesses and use the budget to help the middle class by seriously investing in education, rebuilding America, and making sure Medicare is there.

Sample: National likely voters
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Sep, 2012]

(I'd like to read you some arguments against changing Medicare to a system where the government would guarantee each senior a fixed amount of money to put toward health insurance.) What if you heard that...the proposal gives the insurance industry too much influence over seniors' health care? Would that make you less interested in making this change to Medicare, or would you still want to make this change to Medicare?

Note: Asked of those who said Medicare should be changed to a system in which the government guarantees each senior a fixed amount of money to help them purchase coverage either from traditional Medicare or from a list of private health plans (37%)
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, [Sep, 2012]

(Now, read each statement and please say if you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree, or completely disagree with each one.)...Business corporations have too much influence on the political process.

Sample: National youth age 18-25
Millennial Values & Voter Engagement Survey, [Aug, 2012]

Regulation of Business

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Which of the following do you most agree with--the federal government should become more involved in regulating and controlling business, the federal government should become less involved in regulating and controlling business, or things are about right the way they are?

Note: Asked of half sample
Gallup Poll, [Nov, 2012]

Which worries you more--that there will be too much regulation of business by the government, or not enough regulation of business by the government?

Note: Asked of half sample
Gallup Poll, [Nov, 2012]

Now let me read you two more statements some people on both sides of the issue (the Environmental Protection Agency proposing to place stricter limits on the amount of fine particles that can be released) might make. Some people say: Studies indicate that soot is one of the most dangerous and deadly forms of pollution, especially for children, and can cause heart and lung damage and even lead to cancer or premature death. Independent scientists say that setting stronger soot standards will prevent tens of thousands of premature deaths and over 1 million asthma attacks every year, saving American families billions in lower health care costs. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is taking a common sense approach, setting standards that will be easy for polluters to comply with at a minimal cost. Other people say: Given the weak economy, now is the worst time for the EPA to enact costly regulations that kill jobs and increase energy costs. These new rules are unrealistic and unattainable. They will lead to higher energy costs for American families, would cost businesses tens of millions of dollars, and would essentially close areas of the country to new or expanded manufacturing businesses, resulting in American jobs being shipped overseas. President (Barack) Obama shouldn't be creating new barriers to job creation or increasing energy costs when our country is trying to recover from a recession. Now that you've heard more about this issue let me ask you again, do you favor or oppose the EPA setting stricter limits on fine particles, also called 'soot?' (If Favor/Oppose, ask:) (Is that strongly or somewhat favor/oppose?)

American Lung Association Soot Health Standards Survey, [Nov, 2012]

Threat of Big Business/Labor/Govt Trend

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In your opinion, which of the following will be the biggest threat to the country in the future--big business, big labor, or big government?

Gallup Poll, [Nov, 2011]

In your opinion, which of the following will be the biggest threat to the country in the future--big business, big labor, or big government?

Gallup/USA Today Poll, [Mar, 2009]

In your opinion, which of the following will be the biggest threat to the country in the future--big business, big labor, or big government?

Gallup Poll, [Dec, 2008]

Businesses Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes

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Now I'm going to read you some pairs of statements. After I read each pair, please tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right....First statement: Our number one priority is to restore good paying jobs and rebuild the middle class. We should invest in education, protect Medicare and Social Security, end wasteful corporate subsidies and ask the rich to pay their fair share. We need our economy and our government to work for the middle class again. Second statement: Our number one priority is to reduce the deficit and the size of government. We can't spend our way to prosperity. We can only create jobs if we get our spending and debt under control. Remove the overhang of debt and uncertainty so the job creators can get our economy back to work.

%
49		First statement strongly
5		First statement not strongly
5		Second statement not strongly
35		Second statement strongly
4		Both (Vol.)
2		Neither (Vol.)
*		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National likely voters in Republican districts
Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Democracy Corps/Public Campaign Action Fund Poll, [Sep, 2012]

Who do you agree with more?...Democrats who say that we need to keep making progress on the economy by helping US (United States) manufacturers, stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and reforming the tax code so millionaires will pay their fair share. We cannot afford to go back to the failed policies of the past that created the economic problems in the first place. Republicans who say we need to bring the jobs home by reforming the tax code to fuel economic growth, stop regulations that make it harder for small businesses to hire, create jobs by investing in energy to expand domestic production, and reduce the national debt.

Sample: National registered voters
New Models National Brand Poll, [Sep, 2012]

Who do you agree with more?...Democrats who say that we need to rebuild the economy on a strong foundation by helping US (United States) manufacturers, stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, reform the tax code so millionaires will pay their fair share, and invest in education, innovation and infrastructure for the 21st century. We cannot afford to go back to the failed policies of the past that created the economic problems in the first place. Republicans who say we need to bring the jobs home by reforming the tax code to fuel economic growth, stop regulations that make it harder for small businesses to hire, create jobs by investing in energy to expand domestic production, and reduce the national debt.

Sample: National registered voters
New Models National Brand Poll, [Sep, 2012]

Government Bailouts

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Which of these comes closer to your view?...Government investment in research is essential for scientific progress. Private investment will ensure that enough scientific progress is made, even without government investment.

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press/The American Association for the Advancement of Science Science Survey, [Apr, 2009]

(Now I would like to read you several pairs of statements that might be made by political candidates about President (Barack) Obama's proposed budget for next year (2010), and have you tell me, for each pair, which one you agree with more.)...Statement A: Candidate A says the Obama administration's involvement in private business decisions like firing the head of General Motors is necessary, because they need to protect the taxpayers' investment in the companies that take federal bailouts. Statement B: Candidate B says the Obama administration's involvement in private business decisions like firing the head of General Motors sets a dangerous precedent, because it's a slippery slope when politicians with no business experience start micromanaging major companies....(If Statement A/B, ask:) Do you strongly agree with that statement or somewhat agree with that statement?

Sample: National registered voters
Resurgent Republic Survey, [Apr, 2009]

As you may know, General Motors and Chrysler have received several billion dollars in government assistance to prevent them from going into bankruptcy. If those auto companies say they need more federal money, do you think the government should give them any additional assistance, or should the government let them go into bankruptcy?

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll, [Apr, 2009]

From the Archives

(All banks offer three basic services including checking, savings, and credit. In addition, many banks will add other services to a single basic service and offer this as a package. For example, a bank might add a safety deposit box, a 24-hour cash card, and free travelers' checks to the basic checking account--then offer this as a checking package.)...Do you personally have any kind of package from your bank?

Note: See note
Cambridge Reports/National Omnibus Survey, [Jan, 1977]

What is a reasonable length of time for an industry to change its practices so that it stops discharging toxic wastes?... Three months, twenty years or what?

%
11		Under 6 months
10		6 months-1 year
19		1-1/2 years
2		1/2-2 years
14		2-2 1/2 years
12		2 1/2-5 years
17		5-10 years
5		10-20 years
7		Don't know

Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Americans Talk Issues #19, [Nov, 1991]

In general, do you think large corporations should base their decisions more on making profits, or more on acting in the public interest?

Note: Asked of half sample
CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Jul, 1998]