Most Important Problem

What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? [Open-ended]

Recent Trend:

Apr
6-9,
2008

Mar
6-9,
2008

Feb
11-14,
2008

%

%

%

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS (NET)

61

55

49

1

Economy in general

41

35

34

2

Fuel/Oil prices

9

8

3

3

Unemployment/Jobs

6

5

7

4

High cost of living/Inflation

4

4

2

5

Lack of money

3

2

2

6

Federal budget deficit/Federal debt

2

2

3

7

Taxes

1

1

1

8

Recession

1

2

1

9

Wage issues

1

1

--

10

Foreign trade/Trade deficit

1

*

*

11

Corporate corruption

*

*

1

12

Gap between rich and poor

*

*

*

NON-ECONOMIC PROBLEMS (NET)

55

60

67

1

Situation in Iraq/War

23

21

24

2

Poor healthcare/hospitals; high cost of healthcare

8

8

12

3

Dissatisfaction with government/Congress/
politicians; poor leadership; corruption; abuse of power

6

5

6

4

Immigration/Illegal aliens

5

6

9

5

Ethics/Moral/Religious/Family decline;
dishonesty; lack of integrity

3

4

4

6

Terrorism

3

2

4

7

Education/Poor education/Access to education

2

4

3

8

Poverty/Hunger/Homelessness

2

3

2

9

Foreign aid/Focus overseas

2

2

3

10

Lack of energy sources; the energy crisis

2

2

1

11

Crime/Violence

1

1

*

12

National security

1

3

2

13

Judicial system/Courts/Laws

1

1

1

14

Environment/Pollution

1

1

1

15

Social Security

1

1

1

16

Election year/Presidential choices/Election reform

1

*

1

17

International issues/problems

1

2

1

18

Children's behavior/way they are raised

1

--

*

19

Lack of respect for each other

1

1

2

20

Guns/Gun control

*

1

--

21

Race relations/Racism

*

*

*

22

War/Conflict between Middle East nations

*

*

*

23

Unifying the country

*

*

*

24

Abortion

*

*

1

25

Drugs

*

*

*

26

Welfare

*

*

*

27

The media

*

*

*

28

Overpopulation

*

*

--

29

Medicare

*

--

*

30

Lack of military defense

*

--

*

Natural disaster relief effort and funding

--

--

--

Care for the elderly

--

*

1

Homosexuality/Gay rights issues

--

*

--

Other non-economic

3

2

5

No opinion

2

2

3

Total

142%

136%

141%

* Less than 0.5%

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