64% Say Recent Severe Weather Will Hurt The Economy
Americans strongly believe that the severe spring weather that has plagued the South and Midwest is bad news for the economy, and nearly one-in-three adults plan to make some kind of donation to the people most impacted by the storms.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of American Adults think the recent severe weather problems will hurt the economy. Just 12% say the bad weather actually will help the economy, while 15% say it will have no impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Thirty percent (30%) of Americans have already contributed or plan to contribute money or some other kind of donation to help those impacted by the bad weather. Forty-nine percent (49%) are not donating, but another 22% are still not sure. That’s slightly lower than the number who contributed or planned to contribute to relief efforts in Haiti just after the massive earthquake there in January 2010.
Thirty-six percent (36%) of Americans say, generally speaking, the federal government should bear most of the financial responsibility for areas affected by weather-related disasters. Twenty-six percent (26%) say local agencies should bear most of the burden, while 22% say individuals should be largely responsible. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure who should bear most of the financial responsibility. This is comparable to findings a year ago.
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