Voter Survey Finds Broad Support for Free Enterprise Policies, Free Market Competition
Americans Overwhelmingly Support Growing Jobs Through Free Enterprise Over Government
WASHINGTON, D.C.—There is strong support for the concepts of free enterprise, and a free market economy is strongly preferred over "an economy managed by the government," according to an independent poll released today by the Lombardo Consulting Group, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"It is clear that Americans want less government and more opportunities through a free market economy," said Tom Collamore, senior vice president of communications for the U.S. Chamber. "This poll shows that voters believe free enterprise is the engine that drives the economy and creates jobs. The data overwhelmingly points to a trust for a free market economy and a belief that it will lead our country out of this recession."
Fully 79% of registered voters support the concept of free enterprise, with more than half of all voters (54%) having a "very positive" impression. Nearly three-out-of-four voters (72%) believe free enterprise "makes America competitive in the global economy." Voters also strongly prefer capitalism to socialism, with 36% having a "very positive" view to capitalism. Just 7% of voters have a "very positive" view of socialism. Eighty percent of voters prefer a "free market economy," while just 11% are in favor of "an economy managed by the government."
The polling was conducted as part of the Chamber's Campaign for Free Enterprise, a comprehensive, multiyear campaign to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership. The results support the Chamber's focus on job creation, as outlined in a six point plan in the Strategy for New American Jobs. Voters agree that only a vibrant American free enterprise system can accomplish the Chamber's goal of creating 20 million jobs over the next decade.
More than eight in ten voters (81%) believe "the free enterprise system and free market economy could be negatively impacted by too much regulation." Fully 70% of voters oppose new taxes on financial transactions, while more than six in ten voters (61%) agree that new taxes on banks and financial institutions would "just do more damage to the economy." Nearly two-thirds of voters (64%) agree that it is "very important" for Congress to pass economic legislation with bipartisan support. More than eight in ten voters (83%) believe there is a link between the ability of businesses to access credit and their ability to create jobs.
The national telephone survey of 800 registered voters has a margin of error of 3.5% and was fielded on March 5-9, 2010.
American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comprehensive, multiyear campaign to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
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