Majority surveyed think more federal control over businesses, individuals would be bad for economy

In every age group more people thought expanded government control would be bad for the economy than thought it would be good, but the percentage was highest among those 65 and up.
US currency in 2004

A majority of American voters believe that "giving the federal government more control over businesses and individual behavior" would prove to be "bad for the economy," according to a Just the News poll with Scott Rasmussen.

While 54% said it would be "bad for the economy," a much smaller number, 19%, thought it would be "good for the economy," while 16% believed there would be "no impact" and 12% were "not sure."

A significant split on the matter appeared between Republicans and Democrats, as 74% of Republicans thought additional government control would be bad for the economy compared to just 33% of Democrats who felt the same way. And while just 12% of the Republicans thought it would be good for the economy, 33% of Democrats held that view.

In every age group a larger percentage of people thought more government control would be bad for the economy than thought it would be good, but older people had the highest percentage with an unfavorable view of increased government control. Of those 65 and older, a whopping 77% thought more government control of businesses and individual behavior would be bad for the economy, compared to just 11% who thought it would be good.

The survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted from Feb. 11-13 by Scott Rasmussen utilizing a mixed mode approach. The full sample has a sampling-error margin of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Click here to see the poll's methodology and sample demographics.

Click here to see the poll's cross-demographic tabulations.