Polls Finds Americans Not Seeing Stimulus Impact

By Jennifer LaFleur, ProPublica.

Many Americans are not aware of what impact the economic stimulus package has had on their communities and their opinions of the stimulus differ by race and ethnic group, according to a new poll released today by New America Media, a group that represents more than 2,500 ethnic news outlets across the country.

The poll, which is based on 1,000 interviews with whites, Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans, found that non-whites have a better image of the stimulus package than whites. Of African Americans surveyed, 84 percent said the stimulus was "a good thing" for the country, while only 45 percent of white adults interviewed agreed with that statement.

The study also found the people are not aware of opportunities available under the stimulus. Few respondents could identify projects or organizations that benefitted from the stimulus, nor did they know how to seek benefits for themselves.

The survey was conducted by Bendixen & Associates. Interviews were conducted in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Cantonese and Vietnamese.

Here’s more information and the complete survey results. (PDF)

Jennifer LaFleur is the director of computer assisted reporting for ProPublica, America's largest investigative newsroom.

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Comments

[stuporman]

people aren't going to see any effect from the tax cuts. people don't really think stimulus when they see fewer people not losing their job. they will see the effect when many people start getting hired, which isn't happening.