Economic issues continue to be the public’s highest priority as the 2012 State of the Union approaches. Fully 86% say that strengthening the economy should be a top priority for the president and Congress this year, and 82% rate improving the job situation as a top priority.

The annual policy priorities survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted Jan. 11-16 among 1,502 adults, finds that the federal budget deficit stands out as the fastest growing policy priority for Americans, largely because of increasing Republican concerns about the issue. Fully 69% rate reducing the budget deficit as a top priority — the most in any of the Pew Research Center’s annual policy priority updates going back to 1994.

Read full article at:PEW 2012 Priorities

According to October 24, 2011 viagra strengths PEW Poll: “Independents have mixed opinions generic cialis online of the Occupy Wall Street movement: 43% support best canadian pharmacy the movement and 35% are opposed. By contrast, the balance of opinion among independents toward the Tea Party is much more viagra causes skin cancer negative: Just 30% support the Tea Party movement while 49% are opposed.” Unsurprisingly, more cialis online Republicans support the Tea Party than Occupy Wall generic cialis online Street, while more Democrats support viagra 25 mg Occupy Wall Street than the Tea Party. See Article

New poll from PEW: Low trust of the media

“Fully 66% say news stories often are inaccurate, 77% think that news organizations tend to favor one side, and 80% say news organizations are often influenced by powerful people and organizations.

The public’s impressions of the national media may be influenced more by their opinions of cable news outlets than their views of other news sources, such as network or local TV news, newspapers or internet news outlets. When asked what first comes to mind when they think of “news organizations,” most name a cable news outlet, with CNN and Fox News receiving the most mentions by far.”

Still, they have more trust in the media than other institutions.
“By comparison, about half say they have a lot or some trust in information provided by their state government (51%) and the Obama administration (50%). Smaller percentages trust information from federal agencies (44%), business corporations (41%), Congress (37%) or candidates running for office (29%).”

See full article at PEW Center for People and the Press

PEW came out with a new poll. The lead paragraph:
“The public is profoundly discontented with conditions in the country, its government, political leadership and several of its major institutions. Fully 79% are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country. Even more (86%) say they are frustrated or angry with the federal government. Favorable ratings for both political parties are in negative territory and have declined since the beginning of the year.”
The chart tracks approval ratings for Obama and Democratic and Republican Congressional leaders. Things do not look good for either party.

See the story: Approval Ratings Decline

USA Today/Gallup
Feb. 21, 2011

The question was asked: As you may know, one way the legislature in Wisconsin is seeking to reduce its budget deficit is by passing a bill that would take away some of the collective bargaining rights of most public unions, including the state teachers’ union. Would you favor or oppose such a bill in your state?

61 percent of those polled said they would oppose such a bill.

Crosstabs revealed some interesting differences in the strength of that opposition.
All age groups oppose this bill, but 75 percent of those aged 18 to 35 oppose it.

Income differences:
74 percent of those earning less than $24,000 oppse; 19 support support.
64 percent of those earning $24,000-59,999 oppose; 33 percent support.
53 percent of those earing $60,000 to $89,999 oppose; 41 percent support.
47 percent of those earning $90,000 or more oppose; 50 percent support.

The question here is why does it vary by income?

No surprises based on political ID though, although the support from Republicans, at 54 percent, is not as strong as one might think given the no compromise position taken the Wisconsin governor. Very few Democats–just 18 percent–support taking away collective bargaining rights.

It is also interesting to note that 51 percent of people who identify as Conservatives support taking away collective bargaining rights. Only 27 percent of moderates support and 18 percent of the liberals support ending collective bargaining rights.

Why such relatively weak support among conservatives? Continue reading »