2009-01-13 11:43:04 -

A new study finds that public support for government services is substantially higher than it was in 2005. However, the level of support varies greatly from service to service. The services supported by the most people are crime fighting and prevention, Medicare, the national parks, Social Security and defense.


These are some of the results of The Harris

Poll®, a new nationwide survey of 2,388 U.S. adults surveyed online between December 9 and 15, 2008 by Harris Interactive®.


The most widely supported services are:


- Crime-fighting and prevention (57% support it "a great deal" and fully 91% support it "a great deal" or "somewhat")
- Medicare (63% and 90%)
- National parks (46% and 88%)
- Social Security (60% and 88%)
- Defense (53% and 85%)
- Unemployment benefits (44% and 83%)
- Federal aid to public schools (49% and 83%)
- Environmental protection (42% and 81%).
Of the 13 services listed, only one, foreign aid, was supported "a great deal" (9%) or "somewhat" (32%) by less than half of all adults.


Other services that were, on balance, supported by smaller majorities saying either "a great deal" or "somewhat" were:


- Immigration and naturalization (64%)
- Food stamps (65%)
- Intelligence services (79%); and
- Medicaid (80%).
Increases in Support Since 2005


For every one of 13 services that were asked about in 2005 and in this new Harris Poll, the percentage of people supporting them ("a great deal" or "somewhat") has increased over the last three years.


The biggest increases in support are for:


- Intelligence services, up to 18 points to 79%
- Immigration and naturalization, up 17 points to 64%
- Medicare, up 14 points to 90%
- Defense, up 14 points to 85%
- Federal aid to public schools, up 14 points to 83%
- Crime fighting and prevention, up 14 points to 91%; and
- Social Security, up 12 points to 88%.
So What"


The changes between December 2005 and December 2008 are very striking. We believe that they reflect a more positive attitude to government in general now compared to three years ago.


A major reason for this change is surely a decline in the belief that "government is the problem" and a stronger belief that "government is part of the solution" - as a result of the economic and financial crisis, and discussion of government plans to "bail out" or "rescue? the banks and the auto industry, and of the need for a government stimulus program to generate economic recovery.


It is, of course, ironic that this widespread increase in support for government services should occur at the very end of an administration that has often been ideologically hostile to big government, government spending and government regulation.


Methodology


This Harris Poll® was conducted online within the United States between December 9 and 15, 2008 among 2,388 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. Full data tables and methodology are available at www.harrisinteractive.com


These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.


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About Harris Interactive


Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com


Harris Interactive Inc. 01/09








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