Topics At A Glance: Economy

Current State of the Nation's Economy

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Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor?

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Feb, 2012]

Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as: excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as: excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Future of the Nation's Economy

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During the next twelve months, do you think that the nation's economy will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Jan, 2012]

A year from now, do you expect the national economy to be better than it is today, the same as it is today, or worse than it is today?

American Research Group Poll, [Jan, 2012]

(Please tell me whether you are worried or not worried about each of the following happening.) How about that...the economy will get worse rather than better over the next twelve months?

Gallup Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Current State Of Personal Finances

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Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as: excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as: excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as: excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Job Loss as a Result of Economic Conditions

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Thinking of the last 6 months--that is, since June of 2011--have you or has someone in your family lost a job as a result of economic conditions, or not?

Associated Press/Gfk Poll, [Dec, 2011]

And thinking of the last 6 months--that is, since June of 2011--has someone you know personally, other than a family member, lost a job as a result of economic conditions, or not?

Associated Press/Gfk Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Thinking of the last 6 months--that is, since April of 2011--have you or has someone in your family lost a job as a result of economic conditions, or not?...Yes, self lost job, yes, someone in family, no

Associated Press/Gfk Poll, [Oct, 2011]

Worried About The Economy

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(Please tell me whether you are worried or not worried about each of the following happening.) How about that...the economy will get worse rather than better over the next twelve months?

Gallup Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Does the inability of the ('Supercommittee') committee (in Congress) to reach an agreement (on deficit reduction) by the deadline (November 23, 2011) make you extremely worried, very worried, somewhat worried, or not worried about...the long-term health of the US (United States) economy?

Gallup Poll, [Nov, 2011]

As you may know, the national debt is nearly $15 trillion dollars and the federal government is currently running a yearly budget deficit of over $1 trillion dollars. Economists generally agree that, over the long-term, this is not a sustainable path for the US (United States) economy. At the same time, the current unemployment rate is 9.1% and many economists worry that the United States could enter into another recession. They also agree that policies to jump-start economic growth may increase the deficit in the short-term. I would like to read you three different opinions on the policies our elected officials might focus on. After I read them, please tell me which one comes closest to your opinion....Government should reduce taxes on individuals and businesses, reduce regulation and spending, even if it means that the deficit will increase temporarily. Government should focus on reducing the federal budget deficit, even if that means raising taxes and reducing spending on programs like Medicare and education so we stop adding to our national debt. Government should increase government spending on infrastructure, education, scientific research and programs like unemployment insurance for those out of work, even if that means increasing taxes to pay for this increased spending so that we stop adding to our national debt.

Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, [Sep, 2011]

2008-2011 Financial Crisis

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What do you think is the bigger problem in this country--unfairness in the economic system that favors the wealthy, or over-regulation of the free market that interferes with growth and prosperity?

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Jan, 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]

This week, Congress will vote on legislation that would make it more difficult for federal agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency and Securities and Exchange Commission, to issue new regulations. This legislation calls for more cost-benefit analysis about the impact of new regulations and additional study of their impact on small businesses. In general, which of the following concerns you more about this issue--that regulatory officials appointed by President (Barack) Obama will go too far in imposing unnecessary regulations on business and hurt the economy or that Congress will go too far in reducing the authority of regulatory agencies and weaken oversight of business on issues like environmental protection and financial fraud?

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Unemployment

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(I'm going to read some different proposals that could be considered by the president (Barack Obama) and Congress. For each one please tell me if you think this proposal is a good idea, a bad idea, or do you not know enough about it to have an opinion.)...Continuing to provide unemployment benefits for up to ninety-nine weeks

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Now, thinking some more about unemployment benefits...The maximum length of time one can collect unemployment benefits has recently been increased from twenty-six to ninety-nine weeks. Which of the following statements do you agree with more?...Supporters say we should continue to provide this benefit for this long because when unemployment is so high and jobs are so hard to find unemployed workers need more help. Opponents say we should not continue to provide this benefit for this long because it increases government spending and providing unemployment benefits for almost two years reduces the incentive for people to find jobs.

Note: Asked of Form B half sample
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which (presidential) candidate do you trust most to deal with the economy and unemployment--Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum?

%
28		Mitt Romney
27		Newt Gingrich
13		Ron Paul
9		Rick Santorum
7		Rick Perry
1		Jon Huntsman
3		None of them (Vol.)
12		Don't know/No answer

Note: Republican primary voters
CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Jan, 2012]

From the Archives

(For each item I name, please tell me if it's getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same.) How about...inflation in your area, meaning the prices you pay for things you buy? Is that getting much better/worse or somewhat better/worse?

Note: Asked of half sample
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Apr, 2011]

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about...inflation over the next 12 months? Are you very optimistic, somewhat optimistic, neither optimistic nor pessimistic, somewhat pessimistic, or very pessimistic?

UBS/Gallup Index of Investor Optimism Poll, [Nov, 1997]

How much of an impact has the recent rise in gas prices had on you and your family--a great deal, quite a bit, just some, or not much at all?

Sample: National registered voters
Note: Asked of Form A half sample
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Apr, 2000]