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?

Associated Press/National Constitution Center/GfK Poll, [Aug, 2011]

(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?)...Big business

Gallup Poll, [Jun, 2011]

Honesty and Ethical Standards/Trust in Business

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Regardless of who you support, which (2012 presidential election) candidate do you trust to do a better job...supporting small business--(Barack) Obama or (Mitt) Romney?

Note: Asked of half sample
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Apr, 2012]

(Ok now, would you please rate on a scale of 1-7 the following things according to the level of trust you have in each in addressing your health care needs. With 7 indicating a high level of trust, 1 indicating a low level of trust, and 4 being neutral.)...Your health insurance company

%
10		1-No trust at all
8		2
11		3
16		4-Neutral
23		5
12		6
15		7-Great deal of trust
5		Don't know/Refused

Reason-Rupe Poll, [Mar, 2012]

(Who do you have the most confidence in to address the following problems? Is it local, state or federal governments, business or individuals?)...Keeping business operations honest and consumer friendly

%
16		Local
25		State
26		Federal
12		Business
15		Individuals
4		Don't know
1		Refused

AARP Election Issues Survey, [Jan, 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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(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 will turn Medicare into a voucher program and give the insurance industry too much influence over seniors' health care? (Read for first item then as necessary:) Would that make you less interested in making this change to Medicare, or would you still want to make this change to Medicare?

Note: Those who think Medicare should be changed to a system with private plans (25%)
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, [Feb, 2012]

(Now I'm going to read you some more 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: The middle class won't catch a break unless we start by reducing the influence of big banks, big donors and corporate lobbyists. Then, we need to 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....(If First/Second statement, ask:) (Is that strongly or not strongly?)

%
51		First statement strongly
9		First statement not strongly
4		Second statement not strongly
31		Second statement strongly
1		Both (Vol.)
1		Neither (Vol.)
3		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National likely voters
Note: Asked of Form B half sample
Democracy Corps/Public Campaign Action Fund Poll, [Jan, 2012]

(Next, I'm going to read some aspects of life in America today. For each one, please say whether you are--very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied.) How about...the size and influence of major corporations?

Gallup Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Regulation of Business

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Who do you think is mostly to blame for the home mortgage crisis: the borrowers who should not have taken out loans they might have trouble paying if interest rates went up, the mortgage lenders who approved mortgages to people who might not be able to afford higher interest rates, or the regulators who were supposed to supervise the mortgage lending business and protect consumers?

%
15		Borrowers
34		Lenders
31		Regulators
1		Other (Vol.)
11		All three (Vol.)
6		Combination (Vol.)
2		Don't know/No answer

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Apr, 2012]

Do you believe or not believe the following statement? Excessive government regulations are making it harder for small businesses to hire workers.

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

Do you believe or not believe the following statement? Excessive government regulations like those required by the President's (Barack Obama's) health care law are making it harder for small businesses to hire workers.

Sample: National registered voters
New Models National Brand Poll, [Mar, 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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(As I read off some different groups, please tell me if you think they are paying their fair share in federal taxes, paying too much or paying too little.)...How about...corporations?

Gallup Poll, [Apr, 2012]

Now I'm going to read you a pair of statements from Democrats and Republicans on the economy. Democrats say: Our economy is upside down--99 percent of America is in a recession, but the one percent at the top are doing better than ever. That has to change. We need an economy where everyone has a fair shot and everyone pays their fair share. We should invest in education and protect Medicare. But the Republicans voted to end Medicare as we know it and raise taxes on the 99 percent while giving even more tax breaks to big corporations and the top one percent. Republicans say: Excessive government spending like the failed stimulus bill and Obamacare has made it harder for American businesses to grow while saddling our children with debt. That has to change. We need to make it easier for businesses to create jobs by ending unnecessary regulations, cutting spending and lowering taxes. But the Democrats' solution is more government and more spending, all financed by higher taxes on families and job-creating businesses. After hearing both statements, who do you think would do a better job when it comes to the economy, Democrats or Republicans? (If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Is that much or somewhat better?)

%
31		Democrats much better
15		Democrats somewhat better
17		Republicans somewhat better
31		Republicans much better
*		Both (Vol.)
3		Neither (Vol.)
4		Don't know/Refused

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form B half sample of those in Republican districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

I would like to read you two pairs of statements about government taxing and spending and have you tell me, for each pair, which one you agree with more....(Statement A:) Congressman A says that Congress needs to take a balanced approach to our debt problem by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations. They should pay their fair share by giving up tax breaks and special deductions. (Statement B:) Congressman B says this is the wrong time to raise taxes on anyone. Higher taxes mean more money going to the government, and less money in the economy that businesses can use to hire workers and create new jobs....(If Statement A/B, ask:) Do you strongly agree with that statement or somewhat agree with that statement?

Sample: National registered voters
Note: Asked of half sample
Resurgent Republic Survey, [Oct, 2011]

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

Some of our country's larger oil companies have acquired coal reserves in order to compete in the coal fuel supply business and have developed uranium mines to supply fuel to the nuclear power industry. Do you think having the oil companies expand their activities into other energy areas is good for America, or would you prefer to see the large oil companies prevented by the government from doing this? Please look at this card. On it is a scale from 1 to 7. Where would you stand with regard to this question, if 1 means 'strong support' for letting oil companies get involved in other areas of the energy business, besides oil and gas, and 7 represents 'strong opposition' to letting oil companies get involved in other energy areas?

%
11		1--Strong support
10		2
15		3
24		4--Neutral/Don't know
12		5
9		6
19		7--Strong opposition

Cambridge Reports National Omnibus Survey, [Apr, 1981]

Here are some reasons people have given for either buying or not buying insurance. After I read each one, please tell me whether or not that statement reflects your own feelings or situation. I don't own anything that is valuable enough to insure--does that reflect your own feelings or situation, or not?

Public Attitudes Toward Risk 1983, [Aug, 1983]

When you purchase products or services, do you expect to be contacted to get your opinion of future products or services by the... insurance... industry?

Maritz AmeriPoll, [Mar, 1993]