According to poll data exclusive to the Dallas Express, an overwhelming majority, 62% of respondents, believe an increase in private sector jobs is better for the nation than an increase in government jobs. Only 13% disagreed, and the remaining 25% were either unsure or thought it made no difference.
However, when it comes to the question of government spending, Rasmussen’s poll found less agreement. It showed 37% think more government spending is good for the economy, and another 37% think more government spending is bad. A sizable minority, 20%, were unsure.
Answers were even more divided when respondents were asked if they supported massive spending on non-infrastructure projects. Poll takers were asked if they would support a bill that will spend only $600 billion to fix roads and bridges or a bill that spends $600 billion to fix roads and bridges plus another $1.3 trillion on non-infrastructure projects. Nearly half the respondents, 49%, said they would more likely support the bill without the added $1.3 trillion spending on non-infrastructure projects, 29% said they would support the bill with the additional spending and 21% were undecided.
A large majority of respondents (57%) said they are worried that the U.S. government has too much control over the economy, as opposed to 17% who disagreed and said that they were worried that the government has too little control.
These results come at a time when the U.S. economy seems to be recovering from COVID-19 lockdowns and economic depression. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is proposing significant spending increases while sending mixed signals about the state of the economy and proper monetary policy, according to the Washington Post.
President Biden recently unveiled a massive $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, dubbed the American Jobs Plan, which GOP lawmakers have blasted for not including enough funding for more rudimentary infrastructure such as roads, buildings, water and broadband, Dallas Express previously reported.
The GOP countered with an infrastructure plan of its own, coming in at only $568 billion over five years compared to $2.3 trillion over eight years for Biden’s plan.
Biden argued that the definition of infrastructure is changing and that the costly plan is necessary to safeguard the global perception of democracy and to keep up with rival countries abroad, especially China.
Rasmussen’s methodology included an online survey of 1,000 registered voters selected through random digital engagement. The results were “lightly weighted” for certain elements including gender, age, race and political preferences. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.
