Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters say encouraging economic growth in America is more important than closing the gap between the rich and poor, and the best way to do that is for the government to move out of the way.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 32% of voters take the opposite view, and say reducing the gap between the rich and poor is more important. A survey conducted back in January found that 53% of voters said creating economic growth was more important, while 40% said that of reducing the economic class gap.

There is plenty of partisan disagreement on this issue--86% of Republicans say encouraging growth is more important while just 41% of Democrats who agree. Sixty-percent (60%) of unaffiliated voters also believe promoting growth is the top priority. The majority of Democrats (54%) say bridging the gap between the upper and lower classes should be the more important goal (full demographic crosstabs available for Premium Members).

Not surprisingly, there is also an income gap on the question as 51% of voters who make less than $20,000 a year say bridging the gap between rich and poor is more important. However, 74% of adults who make over $100,000 a year share the opposite view and say encouraging growth is more important.

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While voters favor a plan to stimulate economic growth, they aren’t looking to the government for answers. Most voters (51%) believe the federal government has too much control over the economy. Republicans and unaffiliated voters are much more likely to share this view than Democrats. While 63% of GOP voters say the government has too much control, 53% of unaffiliated voters agree, compared to just 38% of Democrats.

Most voters (54%) think the best thing the government can do is step out of the way by reducing regulation and taxes, while 32% disagree. Again, Republicans strongly believe the government should move out of the way, while Democrats share the opposite view.

Perhaps the biggest economic issue being addressed this election season is the price of fuel. Both candidates and their running mates have heavily discussed their plans to combat high gas and oil prices. Barack Obama plans to invest billions into a green energy sector in order to research alternative fuels to reduce American dependence on foreign oil, in addition to a windfall profits tax on big oil companies. John McCain, on the other hand, favors a suspension of the federal gas tax and investing in offshore oil drilling.

But, fewer than one-fourth of all voters believe the price of gas will go down no matter who wins the White House. The latest poll finds that 37% of voters think gas prices won’t change if McCain is elected president. Just under a third (32%) think gas prices will go up, while just 24% think prices will decrease. Obama’s plan does not fair much better among voters. While 22% of voters think gas prices would go down if Obama becomes president, 35% say prices will increase and 36% say they will stay about the same.

A separate survey conducted in late July found that 50% favor a tax policy that promotes economic growth, while 43% said they favor a plan that ensures everyone pays their fair share of taxes.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.