Fifty-three percent (53%) of Americans say that the federal government should not help out homeowners who borrowed more than they could afford. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 29% disagreed and believed that federal action is appropriate. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure.

There is even stronger opposition to federal help for banks that made bad loans. By a 4-to-1 margin (61% to 15%) Americans reject that approach to resolving the current mortgage crisis.

Whether it’s bailing out the banks or helping homeowners, Democrats are more supportive of federal action. Still, most Democrats (53%) oppose federal help for banks that made bad loans. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Republicans are opposed along with 64% of those not affiliated with either major party.

When it comes to helping homeowners who borrowed more than they could afford, Democrats are evenly divided. Republicans oppose federal assistance by a 67% to 19% margin. Fifty-five percent (55%) of those not affiliated with either party also oppose federal support for those troubled homeowners. Just 24% of the unaffiliated believe federal help is a good idea.

These results are consistent with earlier surveys showing that most Americans believed individual borrowers were to blame for the mortgage crisis.

A separate survey found that most believe the troubled homeowners should buy a smaller house.

The current survey also found that 31% believe Private Companies have a bigger impact on the health of the economy than Congress, the President, or the Federal Reserve. Twenty-eight percent (28%) said that Congress had the biggest impact while 14% named the President and another 14% named the Federal Reserve.

Regardless of who is in charge, consumer confidence is near the lowest levels of the past seven years.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations, Inc.

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