Support varies depending on political affiliation
An annual Harris Poll finds that 81 percent of the public supports increased education spending for our nation’s public schools, but the findings also show varying support based on the respondents’ political affiliation.
According to the survey, 42 percent of respondents strongly support increased education spending, and 39 percent somewhat support it. In the same poll, 12 percent somewhat oppose increasing education spending, and 6 percent strongly oppose it.
Issues most important to Democrats
According to the poll, the largest majorities of Democrats support increased education spending (91percent), stricter environmental protection (90 percent), embryonic stem cell research (85 percent), abortion rights (79 percent) and the recent healthcare reform bill (78 percent).
And when it comes to voting, the issues that are most important to Democrats are the healthcare reform bill (29 percent), increased educational spending (27 percent), no tax increases (26 percent) and cutting government spending (23 percent).
Issues most important to Republicans
The largest majorities of Republicans favor cutting government spending (95 percent), deporting more illegal aliens (90 percent), less government regulation (89 percent), no tax increases (88 percent), offshore drilling (87 percent), prayer in school (86 percent), and reducing immigration (82 percent).
When asked which issues are the most important to consider when deciding to vote for a candidate, the largest numbers of Republicans mentioned cutting government spending (51 percent), no tax increases (30 percent), the recent healthcare reform bill (24 percent), and less government regulation (20 percent).
Issues most important to Independents
Independents are split on these issues with 92 percent in favor of cutting government spending, 80 percent favor increased education spending, while another 80 percent favor deporting more illegal aliens, and 79 percent favor embryonic stem cell research.
