Poll: Two-Thirds of Americans Believe Gov't Spending Does More Harm Than Good

Two out of three Americans believe that government spending does more harm than good, a new poll released Tuesday shows.

More than half say that President Barack Obama’s stimulus harmed the economy with 86 percent of those surveyed saying it did nothing to help their own personal finances.

“Voters understand that our $16 trillion national debt is dragging down our nation’s economy and taking their personal finances with it,” said Gretchen Hamel, executive director of Public Notice which commissioned the Tarrance Group.

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“With debt and spending now a top issue in this election, thedebate from here on out should be focused on which candidate has the most credible plan to reduce spending and the debt and get our fiscal house in order.”

Nearly three-out-of-four of the 1,005 likely voters surveyed last week — 74 percent — said federal spending has not helped, the poll reported. Unlike most polls on presidential preference there is no great gender gap on the findings. Public Notice says 75 percent of men and 72 percent of women answered the same way.

Public Notice, which describes itself as “an independent non-profit dedicated to providing facts and insight on the economy and how government policy affects Americans’ financial well-being,” said neither presidential candidate that despite voters’ concerns, neither presidential candidate is putting government spending at the top of his agenda.

“With the national debt recently topping $16 trillion dollars and voters listing debt and government spending as a top concern, both candidates have a responsibility to clearly explain their plan to address the problem,” said Hamel.

“Since neither has detailed a plan to reduce the debt, it isn’t surprising that neither holds a commanding lead on the issue.”

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