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pampango

(24,692 posts)
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 08:24 AM Jan 2015

For the first time in 5 years, jobs/economy drop from top concern in Pew poll.



For the first time in five years, as many Americans cite defending the U.S. against terrorism (76%) as a top policy priority as say that about strengthening the nation’s economy (75%). Since Barack Obama began his second term in January 2013, the economy has declined 11 points as a top priority, and improving the job situation has fallen 12 points (from 79% to 67%).

The survey finds little change over time in many of the public’s other priorities: 67% rate improving education as a top priority, 66% cite securing Social Security, 64% reducing health care costs and 61% securing Medicare.

However, the budget deficit – which surged in importance between 2009 and 2013 – has lost ground since then. Currently, 64% say reducing the budget deficit is a top priority; that is little changed from last year (63%), but down eight points since 2013.

At the same time, other priorities are now viewed as more important. Increasing percentages say improving the nation’s infrastructure (up 12 points since 2013), dealing with global warming (up 10 points) and dealing with the nation’s moral breakdown (eight points) should be top priorities. Immigration, for which there is no 2013 trend point, has grown as a priority since last year; 52% view it as a top priority, compared with 40% last January.

http://www.people-press.org/2015/01/15/publics-policy-priorities-reflect-changing-conditions-at-home-and-abroad/

The top Democratic concerns: global warming, the environment, the problems of the poor and needy, education, science, lobbyists and infrastructure. The top republican concerns: strengthening the military, the budget deficit, moral breakdown, immigration, terrorism and the tax system.

The biggest increases in importance were: infrastructure, immigration, stronger military and global warming. The biggest declines in importance: jobs, the economy and the budget deficit.
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pampango

(24,692 posts)
2. Good point. I don't know whether they did not ask about it or it ranked too low to show up.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 08:53 AM
Jan 2015

The last item on the priority list was global trade at 30%. You would think there were topics that polled lower than that and just were not included in the chart.

Takket

(21,425 posts)
3. i think the terrorism is just the "flavor of the week". Barring any attacks the economy will be back
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 08:55 AM
Jan 2015

on top by spring.

pampango

(24,692 posts)
4. You're probably right. The drop in unemployment in the last 5 years is undoubtedly one reason for
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 10:26 AM
Jan 2015

the temporary drop in the priority of the economy and jobs with some people though many problems remain.

Fumesucker

(45,851 posts)
5. That's because getting shot by a terrorist is bad
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 10:41 AM
Jan 2015

On the other hand getting shot while bringing your spouse breakfast in bed is good.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/tiffany-segule-fayetteville-nc-shooting

A woman in Fayetteville, N.C. allegedly shot her husband in the chest when he came home to surprise her with breakfast Friday morning, television station WTVD reported.

Police said Tiffany Segule, 27, shot her husband, Zia Segule, 28, after he returned home to surprise her and set off their home's alarm system, the station reported.

She had returned to bed after her husband left for work and thought there was an intruder, according to police. She fired a shot through her bedroom door, authorities told the TV station.

The bullet hit her husband in the chest, but police told WTVD that he was able to walk and talk after being shot. He was released from the hospital hours after the incident.



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