2013-02-25-皮尤-Most_Say_Spending_Cuts_Would_Have_Major_Impact_on_Economy,_Military_10页_421kb

Summary of the 2013 Pew Research Center/Washington Post Survey on Sequestration's Impact

The survey, conducted February 21-24, 2013, among 1,000 adults, found that most Americans believe the budget sequester would have a major negative impact on the US economy and military. Specifically, 60% think it would significantly affect the economy, with 62% viewing the impact as mostly negative, compared to just 18% seeing it as mostly positive.

Aided by partisan agreement, nearly identical opinions were expressed across Republicans, Democrats, and independents: 60-62% say the sequester would have a major economy effect, and all groups view it predominantly negatively, with few (even fewer) seeing it as a minor or no effect. On personal finances, only 30% believe it would have a major impact, down from 43% in December 2012.

Public engagement remains low, with just 25% closely following news about the sequester, contrasting with higher interest during the preceding fiscal cliff debate. Most Americans understood the issue only somewhat well, and on personal finance effects, a majority felt little impact.

The sequester is faulted more on Congress than the President, with a slight shift in blame compared to earlier polls. Low-income individuals and those with less education were more likely to believe the cuts would harm their finances. Overall, the survey highlighted broad public concern about the economic downsides of the austerity measures, with less focus on personal impacts, and showed that despite political divisions, there was consensus on the potential harm to the economy. Sampling errors and methodology details are incorporated in the full report.