Washington, DC – March 18, 2013… A new national poll released today by the conservative policy-advocacy group YG Network and conducted by McLaughlin & Associates shows Americans believe the country is at an economic crossroads and remain most concerned with jobs and the economy – nearly twice as much when compared to other priorities. Moreover, focusing on family pocketbook issues like soaring energy costs and the impact of Obamacare on out-of-pocket expenses garnered broad support. The survey also touches on immigration and education reform policy options.
YG Network President John Murray issued the following statement regarding the poll results:
“While we are seeing signs of an improving economy, Americans remain cautious and concerned about the future. Pocketbook issues like gas prices and the cost of Obamacare are hitting home, keeping families on edge and slowing the country’s return to better times. The Left continues to ask for more money from working families to fund their runaway spending agenda, instead of addressing their priorities like lowering energy costs, stopping the impact of Obamacare, proposing workable immigration reforms and addressing the cost of higher education.”
View the entire poll here. Highlights are below.
On The Economy:
- Three in four respondents (76%) believe America stands at an economic crossroads that require us to make tough choices today to avert a crisis, while only 18% say we are generally on the right path.
- When given a list of choices, 90% say an economic related issue would have the most impact on their future, with “economy and jobs” (38%), “deficit and debt” (20%) and “healthcare” (16%) being the highest economic issues. It is important to note that “economy and jobs” is almost twice that of “deficit and debt.” Just 7% of respondents see social issues as having the most impact.
- Out of issues tested that are currently facing the country, respondents are most concerned with “energy prices” (85%), “government spending” (83%) and “taxes” (82%). It is important to note that intensity of concern is higher for “government spending” than “taxes” and “energy prices” – 49% “very concerned,” 39% “very concerned” to 38% “very concerned,” respectively.
- Energy prices, including gas, an important pocketbook issue, are hurting personal finances more than the national debt or government regulations – 88%, 71% to 61%, respectively.
- When respondents were presented with the largest items in the federal budget to cut, welfare programs far outweighed military, Social Security and Medicare.
On The Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare:
- Forty-four percent (44%) say the Affordable Healthcare Act will make things worse, including 29% who say it will make things “a lot worse.” Three in ten (28%) say it will make things better and 21% say it will have no effect.
- When it comes to premiums, co-pays and deductibles, 45% say the Affordable Healthcare Act will make them more expensive, 27% say they will remain the same and only 9% say they will be less expensive as a result.
On Immigration Reform:
- Almost seven in ten (67%) believe that the United States could be doing more when it comes to keeping illegal immigrants from crossing into the United States, while only 24% believe the government is doing all it can be reasonably expected to do.
- When it comes to illegal immigrants who are currently working in the United States, half (48%) believe they should be allowed to stay in their jobs and to eventually apply for citizenship and another 19% favor a guest worker policy. One in four (26%) believe they should no longer be permitted to live and work in the United States.
- Three in four (75%) favor providing a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants under the age of 30 who were brought to the United States as children as long as they do not have a criminal record and obtain either two years of college or military service, while only 20% oppose.
On Education Reform:
- Nearly nine in ten (88%) favor providing parents a full breakdown of college tuition costs, including 66% who “strongly favor” this proposal.
- Another 85% favor providing prospective college students with reliable information such as employment rate and potential earnings.
The full PowerPoint Presentation is available here.
Toplines are available here.
The entire survey including crosstabs, is available here.
For more information on the YG Network click here.
