Topics At A Glance: Poverty

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I'm going to read you some pairs of statements. As I read each pair, tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own views--even if neither is exactly right....Most people who want to get ahead can make it if they're willing to work hard. Hard work and determination are no guarantee of success for most people.

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Political Survey, [Dec, 2011]

I'm going to read you a pair of statements. Tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own views--even if neither is exactly right....Most people who want to get ahead can make it if they're willing to work hard. Hard work and determination are no guarantee of success for most people.

Pew Hispanic Center National Survey of Latinos, [Nov, 2011]

Generally speaking, do you think people get ahead in their job or career based on their hard work and ability, or do you think that hard work and ability are no guarantee of success in a job or career? (If Necessary, ask:) Which comes closer to the way you feel?

Pew Social Trends Poll, [Sep, 2011]

Welfare Spending

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As you may know, the federal budget is projected to face large deficits in the coming years. Which one of the following do you think is the biggest reason for these deficits?...Wealthy Americans don't pay enough in taxes. Too much government spending on defense. Too much government spending on programs for poor people. Too much government spending on programs for the elderly.

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, [Feb, 2012]

(Now I'm going to read you some of the specific proposals for cutting government spending and increasing taxes that have been suggested as part of the discussions on the debt ceiling. For each one, please tell me whether you favor or oppose that proposal as a way to reduce the amount that the government owes.)...Cutting the amount the government spends on Medicaid, the federal health program for the poor

CNN/ORC International Poll, [Jul, 2011]

(I'm going to name a few federal programs and for each one, I'd like you to tell me whether you think federal spending on that program should be increased, kept the same, decreased a little, or decreased a lot, or if you think that program should be eliminated entirely.)...Medicaid--the federal health program for the poor

Note: Asked of Form B half sample
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll, [Mar, 2011]

Government Responsibility for Individuals

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(Now I am going to read you a series of statements that will help us understand how you feel about a number of things. For each statement, please tell me if you completely agree with it, mostly agree with it, mostly disagree with it or completely disagree with it.)...It is the responsibility of the government to take care of people who can't take care of themselves.

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Poll, [Sep, 2011]

In general, some people think that it is the responsibility of the government in Washington to see to it that people have help in paying for doctors and hospital bills. Others think that these matters are not the responsibility of the federal government and that people should take care of these things themselves. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you made up your mind on this? (Respondents shown card with 1 to 5 scale on which point 1 indicates 'I strongly agree it is the responsibility of the government to help' and point 5 indicates 'I strongly agree people should take care of themselves.' Point 3 indicates 'I strongly agree with both answers.')

Note: Asked of 2/3 sample
General Social Survey 2010, [Mar, 2010]

Note: Asked of 2/3 sample
General Social Survey 2008, [Apr, 2008]

Welfare Reform -- Limits

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Given the continuing economic downturn, some people say the government should make some changes in the welfare reform rules to help support low-income families. Please tell me if you support or oppose the following changes.... As you may know, welfare reform set a 5-year lifetime limit on how long someone can receive welfare payments. Some people have suggested temporarily suspending the limit for those who cannot find work until the economy starts to improve and more jobs become available. How do you feel about this idea? Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this idea?

Welfare Reform And Children In The Current Economy Survey, [Jan, 2002]

Just to refresh your memory. The new welfare law, which Congress passed in 1996, ends the federal guarantee of public assistance for the poor. It also requires able-bodied recipients to work within two years. It sets a lifetime limit on federal benefits of five years for most people. And it gives the states a lot of flexibility. All in all, do you think the new welfare law is working well, or not?

Note: See note
NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School--Poverty in America Survey, [Jan, 2001]

The 1996 Welfare Reform Bill requires welfare recipients to accept work within two years of applying for benefits, and imposes a five-year lifetime limit on welfare assistance. Let's say a presidential candidate opposes these provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill. Would that make you more or less likely to vote for that candidate for president or would that have no effect on your vote one way or the other?

Note: Registered voters
Los Angeles Times Poll, [Nov, 1999]

Job Training and Welfare

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(Now I am going to read you some more things Democrats are saying about the Republican budget plan for the next 10 years. After I read each one, please tell me whether this raises very serious doubts, serious doubts, minor doubts, or no real doubts in your own mind about the Republicans' budget plan.)...This plan has the wrong priorities. It is focused on helping corporate special interests and Wall Street, not reducing the deficit or helping the country. It actually raises taxes for the middle class, while cutting them for the wealthiest. It repeals the Wall Street reforms for the big banks. And it abolishes Medicare, cuts funding for education, health care, alternative energy, and job training programs and uses the money not for reducing the deficit, but to help the most privileged.

Sample: National likely voters
Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Democracy Corps Poll, [Apr, 2011]

(Now, thinking about some specific problem areas. For each item that I read, please tell me who you think could do the best job of providing services to people in need.)...Job training...Who could do the best job providing these types of services: a religious organization, a non-religious community-based group, or a federal or state government agency?

Note: Asked of Form 2 half sample
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press/Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Religion & Public Life Survey, [Aug, 2009]

(Here is a list of things the government could do that some people say would reduce poverty in America. Do you support or oppose the government doing each?) How about... expanding job-training programs do you support or oppose the government doing this?

Note: Asked of half sample
NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School--Poverty in America Survey, [Jan, 2001]

Government Role Regarding Income Disparities

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(Next, I'm going to read a list of functions the federal government could serve. On a 1 to 5 scale, please say how much responsibility you think the government should have for each--with 1 meaning the government should have no responsibility at all and 5 meaning the government should have total responsibility in this area.) How about...reducing income differences between the rich and the poor?

%
33		1-No responsibility at all
11		2
21		3
11		4
23		5-Total responsibility
1		Don't know
*		Refused

Gallup Poll, [Sep, 2010]

Some people think that the government in Washington ought to reduce the income differences between the rich and the poor, perhaps by raising the taxes of wealthy families or by giving income assistance to the poor. Others think that the government should not concern itself with reducing this income difference between the rich and the poor. Here is a card with a scale from 1 to 7. Think of a score of 1 as meaning that the government ought to reduce the income differences between rich and poor, and a score of 7 meaning that the government should not concern itself with reducing income differences. What score between 1 and 7 comes closest to the way you feel?

%
19		1-Government should
8		2
16		3
18		4
16		5
8		6
16		7-Government should not
1		Don't know

Note: Asked of 2/3 sample
General Social Survey 2010, [Mar, 2010]

I'd like to talk with you about issues some people tell us are important. Some people think that the government in Washington should do everything possible to improve the standard of living for all poor Americans, they are at point 1 on this card. Other people think it is not the government's responsibility, and that each person should take care of himself, they are at point 5. Where would you place yourself on this scale or haven't you made up your mind on this?

Note: Asked of 2/3 sample
General Social Survey 2010, [Mar, 2010]

Causes of Poverty

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In your opinion, which is generally more often to blame if a person is poor? Lack of effort on his or her own part, or circumstances beyond his or her control?

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Trust in Government Survey, [Mar, 2010]

In your own opinion which is generally more to blame if a person is poor--lack of effort on their part or circumstances beyond their control? (If Lack of effort/Beyond their control, ask:) Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

The Opportunity Agenda Human Rights in the US Survey, [Jun, 2007]

In your opinion, which is more often to blame if a person is poor--lack of effort on his or her own part, or circumstances beyond his or her control?

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Jan, 2006]

From the Archives

Now, let me read you some specific issues. When it comes to... reforming the welfare system... which party do you think would do a better job--the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, both about the same, or neither?

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Jul, 1994]

Do you think the changes proposed by the Republicans in welfare: Go too far, or not go far enough?

Gallup/CNN/USA Today Poll, [Sep, 1995]

(For each item I name, please tell me if that's something you support or oppose.) How about...having the states take over running the main welfare programs? (If Support or Oppose, ask:) Is that strongly or somewhat?

Note: Asked of Form E half sample
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Apr, 1995]