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April 13, 2011

The 2011 Community Voices for the Economy survey, a nationwide poll just released by the Ms. Foundation for Women, shows that the American public wants the government to take a stronger economic role to help average Americans, especially in terms of job creation. In the midst of the current deficit-reduction frenzy in Washington DC, the public exhibits concern that belt-tightening will come at the expense of families and children.

“These findings fly in the face of what we’re hearing every day from politicians in Washington about deficit reduction and the role of government,” says Anika Rahman, president and CEO of the Ms. Foundation. “Most Americans see government as critical to helping the economy grow and families succeed. They are clearly concerned that the deficit-cutting mood on Capitol Hill will come at the expense of children and families.”

Desire for a Stronger Economic Role for Government

• When presented with two different points on view on this topic, 56 percent of Americans agree more that, “It is time for government to take a larger and stronger role in making the economy work for the average American.” In contrast, 36 percent choose the point of view that “Turning to big government to solve our economic problems will do more harm than good.”
• The desire for a stronger economic role for government has grown slightly—by four points—from last year. In the 2010 Community Voices for the Economy, 52 percent of Americans agreed it was time for government to take a larger and stronger economic role, and 37 percent agreed that turning to big government would do more harm than good.

• Over the past year, desire for a stronger economic role for government has increased across nearly all demographic subgroups. This is particularly true among women, who give a 33-point advantage to the argument for a stronger economic role for government (62 percent) over the argument that government would do more harm than good (29 percent agree). Among women, the desire for a stronger economic role has increased seven points over the past year, from 55 percent in 2010 to 62 percent currently. While men are more closely divided on this issue, more important is the fact that they have slightly favored wanting a stronger government role in the 2010 and 2011 surveys (49 percent agreeing more with a stronger government role in 2010 and 2011).

Focusing on Job Creation: Even if Deficit Increases in Short-Term

A robust majority of the general public still agrees that the government should be focusing on job creation and they support this even if job creation means increasing the deficit for the short-term.

• Sixty-two percent of Americans agree that the government should focus on creating jobs, even if it means increasing the deficit in the short-term (24 percent strongly agree). Only 37 percent disagree (20 percent strongly disagree). Two-thirds of women (66 percent) and 57 percent of men agree that the government should focus on job creation.
• Overall agreement with this position has increased by six points from 2010 (up to 62 percent from 56 percent).

Concern over Deficit Cutting that Impacts Children & Families

• Nearly half of Americans (49 percent) say they would be extremely or very concerned if Congress—in its efforts to reduce the federal budget deficit—significantly cut spending on government programs that help families and children. Another third (34 percent) would be somewhat concerned, and only one in six would not be concerned (16 percent).
• These concerns are particularly high among women, among whom 55 percent say they would be extremely or very concerned if spending for children and families was significantly cut. While there is a gender gap between men and women, men are still much more concerned than unconcerned about such cuts (43 percent would be extremely or very concerned; 20 percent would be not very or not at all concerned).

Survey Methodology