Fiscal Confidence Index: October 2016 Results

Topline survey results from the Fiscal Confidence Index for October 2016. The FCI value for October is 52.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation commissioned a poll by the Global Strategy Group and North Star Opinion Research to survey public opinion on the national debt. The nationwide poll included 1,007 U.S. registered voters, surveyed by telephone between October 17 and October 20, 2016. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. The poll examined voters’ opinions on the national debt, political leadership, and America’s fiscal and economic health.

The Fiscal Confidence Index value is derived from six questions in three categories: Concern, Priority, and Expectations. The October 2016 scores are: Concern (44), Priority (20), Expectations (93). For the complete methodology used to determine the Fiscal Confidence Index value, click here. For full results, including demographic information, download the PDF below:


CONCERN (44)

Thinking about our national debt over the last few years, would you say your level of concern has increased or decreased?

  • Is that a lot or just a little?
Increased a lot 46%
Increased a little 20%
Decreased a little 12%
Decreased a lot 5%
(No change) 15%
(Don't Know/Refused) 2%
INCREASED (NET) 66%
DECREASED (NET) 17%

When it comes to addressing our national debt, would you say things in the United States are heading in the right direction or do you think things are off on the wrong track?

  • Do you feel that way strongly or just somewhat?
Right direction - Strongly 12%
Right direction - Somewhat 17%
Wrong track - Somewhat 14%
Wrong track - Strongly 44%
(Neither/Mixed) 6%
(Don't Know/Refused) 6%
RIGHT DIRECTION (NET) 29%
WRONG TRACK (NET) 59%
PRIORITY (20)

Some people say that addressing the national debt should be among the President and Congress' top 3 priorities. Do you agree or disagree?

  • Do you feel that way strongly or just somewhat?
Strongly agree 60%
Somewhat agree 21%
Somewhat disagree 9%
Strongly disagree 7%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
AGREE (NET) 81%
DISAGREE (NET) 15%
   

And when it comes to our national debt, do you think it is an issue that the President and Congress should spend more time addressing or less time addressing?

  • Would you say a lot (more or less) time or just a little?
A lot more time 62%
A little more time 23%
A little less time 5%
A lot less time 3%
(The same amount of time) 5%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
MORE TIME (NET) 85%
LESS TIME (NET) 7%
EXPECTATIONS (93)

And thinking about our national debt over the next few years, do you expect the problem to get better or worse?

  • Is that much (better or worse) or just somewhat (better or worse)?
Much better 8%
Somewhat better 19%
Somewhat worse 21%
Much worse 24%
(No change) 7%
(Don't know/Refused) 21%
BETTER (NET) 27%
WORSE (NET) 45%

And when it comes to our national debt, are you optimistic or pessimistic that the United States will be able to make progress on our national debt over the next few years?

  • Would you say you are very (optimistic or pessimistic) or just somewhat?
Very optimistic 23%
Somewhat optimistic 30%
Somewhat pessimistic 13%
Very pessimistic 20%
(Neither/Mixed) 6%
(Don't Know/Refused) 8%
OPTIMISTIC (NET) 53%
PESSIMISTIC (NET) 33%

 

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