AP Poll: To Fix Economy, Get Out Of Iraq

Most Believe U.S. Is In Recession, And Quitting Iraq Would Be More Helpful Than Rebate Checks

(AP)  The heck with Congress' big stimulus bill. The way to get the country out of recession - and most people think we're in one - is to get the country out of Iraq, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll.

Pulling out of the war ranked first among proposed remedies in the survey, followed by spending more on domestic programs, cutting taxes and, at the bottom end, giving rebates to poor people in hopes they'll spend the economy into recovery.

The $168 billion economic rescue package Congress rushed to approval this week includes rebates of $600 to $1,200 for most taxpayers, the hope being that they will spend the money and help revive ailing businesses. President Bush is expected to sign the measure next week. Poor wage-earners, as well as seniors and veterans who live almost entirely off Social Security and disability benefits, would get $300 checks.

However, just 19 percent of the people surveyed said they planned to go out and spend the money; 45 percent said they'd use it to pay bills.

And nearly half said what the government really should do is get out of Iraq.

Forty-eight percent said a pullout would help fix the country's economic problems "a great deal," and an additional 20 percent said it would help at least somewhat. Some 43 percent said increasing government spending on health care, education and housing programs would help a great deal; 36 percent said cutting taxes.

"Let's stop paying for this war," said Hilda Sanchez, 44, of Waterford, Calif. "There are a lot of people who are struggling. We can use the money to pay for medical care and help people who were put out of their homes."

The subject of leaving Iraq shows a sharp partisan divide - 65 percent of Democrats think it would help the economy a lot, but only 18 percent of Republicans think so.

Just 29 percent of people think putting more money in the hands of the poor would help a great deal in fixing the country's economic problems.

According to many economists, the lower people are on the income ladder, the more probable it is that they will spend a rebate and do it quickly - a shot in the arm for the ailing economy.

In the poll, 61 percent said they think the economy is already in a recession.

"Things are bad, but it will get a lot worse," said Jim Sims, 60, of Greer, S.C.

And Nanette Dahlin, 52, of St. Louis Park, Minn., said the economic stimulus package "would only make a recession less damaging."

The economy nearly stalled in the final three months of last year. Some economists, like the majority of poll respondents, say it may actually be shrinking now, given the strains from a persistent housing slump and a painful credit crunch. The worry is that people and businesses will hunker down further and pull back their spending, sending the economy into a tailspin.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has gotten more forceful in cutting interest rates to spur people to buy more and to energize businesses. And now Republicans, Democrats and the White House have shown rare cooperation in approving relief.

Rebate checks could start showing up in mailboxes in May. However, Sanchez is typical is saying the money will "go automatically to bills." Thirty-two percent said they would save or invest the rebate. Said Sims: "I'm hoping to hold onto it."

Just 19 percent - like Dahlin - said they would spend it, while 4 percent said they would donate it to charity.

Paying off bills or saving the money won't give the economy a quick boost, though it may well be a wise financial decision for many people who are up to their eyeballs in bills.

"What is good for the economy as a whole - spending a rebate - is not the best idea at an individual household level if you are buried in debt," said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com. "Issuing rebate checks to give a boost to consumer spending amounts to a Band-Aid over the much bigger problem of consumer debt burdens," he said.

With Wall Street in turmoil, the top economic worry for poll respondents was seeing their nest eggs shrink. Fifty-nine percent said they were worried "a lot" or "some" about seeing the value of stocks and retirement investments drop. Those approaching retirement fretted the most.

Nearly half - 46 percent - said they were worried about being able to pay their bills. This is especially a concern for people whose household incomes are under $50,000, and for minorities. Twenty-eight percent most feared losing their jobs; minorities and those with a high school education or less were especially concerned.

Also, 48 percent of homeowners polled worried that the value of their homes would drop. The housing bust has led to record-high foreclosures, and weaker home values have made people feel less wealthy.

Who deserves most of the blame for the economy's troubles?

More than half - 56 percent - pointed the finger at mortgage lenders. Forty-four percent said President Bush deserves a lot of the blame. After that come Congress, Wall Street, consumers themselves, and in last place the Federal Reserve.

The Fed has the public's confidence that it will be able to right the economy.

More than half - 55 percent - said they have a great deal or some confidence in Fed to turn things around. Forty-one percent said that about Congress, only 28 percent about Mr. Bush.

In fact, economic problems have contributed to pulling the president's approval ratings to all-time lows. Only 29 percent approve of his handling of the economy, the lowest mark yet in this polling. Mr. Bush's overall job-approval rating slid to 30 percent, also a record low.

The AP-Ipsos poll was conducted Monday through Wednesday this week and involved telephone interviews with 1,006 adults. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

AP Director of Surveys Trevor Tompson and AP News Survey Specialist Dennis Junius contributed to this report.

[taotxzen]

(cont)

These Regressives are willing to funnel money to the big defense contractors at the expense of education, health care, the economy, the environment, education, and the infrastructure of our country. Everything, and now they want more.

And here''s the capper. We don%u2019t have the money to spend. Where does it come from? China and others in the Far East. We are borrowing money to buy weapons to supposedly protect ourselves from the people that we are borrowing from. And, the 9 trillion dollar debt that we incur in the process makes your money worth less everyday.

Im not suggesting abolishing the military. However, a small portion of what we are currently spending on the military would feed every hungry kid in this country and educate every kid in this country that wants an education and leave a sizable tax break left over for the working class.

It%u2019s a question of priorities.

[taotxzen]

I was listening to Huckabee''s speech:

"People need to stand on their own." I think that the Regressives have certainly accomplished this.

"We need to increase defense spending so that we can guarantee our safety." This one of my biggest rubs with Bush, the Huckster and all other far right-wingers. We already spend more on the military than the entire world combined. 670 plus billion this year alone.

Has it made us safer? Someone once said, "If you have a military that is that big with that many weapons you will find a way to use it."

We have continued to pour money into the Pentagon with absolutely zero oversight. What has it gotten us? We cannot provide adequate benefits to our injured troops; with all this money we cannot provide the necessary equipment to our troops. So where does it go? Follow the money.

(cont)

[nearl4511]

Just read somewhere today that Bush has stated that the "experts" say we are not in a recession.

Well if that''s the case, what was the need for a stimulus package? and why is Ben Benanke always asking "how high?" every time the adminstration or the stock market tell him to jump?

[dowjones20k]

If the USA would bring ALL (Germany, South Korea, Iraq .. etc) of the troops home then we would be much better off. Force the Europeans and other countries to defend themselves and stop sucking off the American taxpayers.

It does not take a brain surgeon to realize that the war is costing this country billions that are not there ....

Odd though, how the article does not mention all the other irresponsible spending that goes on in DC by ALL of the pols whether they have an R or D by thier name ...

It is absurd that citizens are not rewarded for saving money .. hence 3% CD rates and .5% savings account rates .. but one gets to buy an overpriced home and get a tax deduction for the interest ..

This country and the hacks that run it better wake up before its too late ...

[cbsblogger]

We can''t continue to allow our country to be run as irresponsibly as this country has been run for the last 30 - 35 years.

We''ve allowed our economy to be weakened. We''ve had increasing deficits on every front. We started a wrong headed and very costly war. Our government policies have allowed and encouraged business to outsource our jobs that not only tears down our economy, but boosts theirs (China, India, etc), and boosts the demand (and price) for natural resources such as oil, etc. It is total mismanagement that has hurt the US dollar which in the end will be the down fall of our country and its wealth...and the instigators of all this were the business interests that no longer have an interest in the economy of the USA.

The politicians and party that understands and deals with this will control the country for decades.

[amazedd]

If you can''t beat ''em, stick your head in the the sand.

See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil. Fear no evil!

[louin0]

I agree. The only way to really get out of the recession is to immediately pull out of Iraq, but do it systematically.

[walt1944-2009]

The Great Emperor Bush II is not concerned about the AP poll stating that people already believe we are in a recession and the best thing for the country is to pull out of Iraq.

The Great Emperor Bush first, does not believe the country is in a recession and since he believes there is no recession, we therefore stay in Iraq! As it is, the Great Emperor sees the entire "recession" talk as being a plot hatched by Al Qeada to "scare" those who are not stupid neocon Fascsts into believing Iraq is the reason for the recession.

Of course, citizens of the US(SA) know who is responsible for the recession (real or not!) and it is not Osama Bin Laden and Al Qeada. It certainly is "terrrrrrrrrorists" but they reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC.

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!

[shanev137]

It''s amazing that people are just now figuring out what happened to our economy.

[kuhox91]

Duh!!!!

[olebd]

My gosh, I think the majority of us have been saying this for years now.

Wouldn''t it be wonderful to have a president who was on board with the will of the people? Someone who said basically what this article says and who actually has a plan to getting done quickly and efficiently? There I go dreaming again.

[lien2lien]

It also doesn''t help that a ton of people took out shady mortgages that they couldn''t afford and are now losing, or have lost their homes. We also often spend our own (borrowed) money like there''s no tomorrow. We are all partially to blame for our economic standing. War is expensive and undesirable, but so is the loss of life and potential loss of life due to past and future terrorist attacks. And how much did payouts to victims and cleanup of 9/11 cost?

[watcher269-2009]

BUT, the issue with Bush and Cheney is Iraq''s Economy - they don''t care about the United States Economy!

[ubrew12]

lien2lien said: "It also doesn''t help that a ton of people took out shady mortgages that they couldn''t afford and are now losing, or have lost their homes."

The most expensive mortgage taken out in the last 5 years was for the House of Saud.

[sanfelz]

There is a downside to lowering rates for those who have investments in interest rate sensitive vehicles, such as certificates of deposit. That is, less long-term income for a significant part of the population; sort of a de-stimulus package.

No doubt that war saps the economy of investment money and that war deprives the economy of vital workers and energies.This nation will be paying for this war for many generations.

[rowdytexan2]

The housing debacle is a hoax they''re throwing at you to blame the people for our economic mess.

The truth lies somewhere in the fog of people who took out the scam loans with escalating interest rates and who will not get the raises to be able to afford them...and people who have just flat lost their jobs, had to move on and couldn''t sell their houses and had to let them forclose.

You can''t make a house payment with an $8 to $10/hr job and that''s almost all that''s left unless you have some kind of education in technnology, or marketing of Chinese products.

On top of that you have people with credit cards paying high interest on money they didn''t have in the first place to spend. And then you have the dopes that fell for equity loans to pay off their credit cards. These folks will never have a paid off home to retire to, nor will they have saved money to supplement meagre retirement stipends (for those lucky enough to work for someone who provides that benefit--not many company''s do nowdays--and the ones that did are currently scamming your retirement fund).

We''re going to have to learn to live on our salaries, and learn to save for large purchases. Every time you are paying interst, you are losing money.

[patriotic9]

(AP) The heck with Congress'' big stimulus bill. The way to get the country out of recession - and most people think we''re in one - is to get the country out of Iraq, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll.

What about the 2nd coming of Christ and the Battle of Armagaddon?

[michellem99-2009]

I SAY END THAT IRAQ WAR NOW..THE BUSHES STARTED IT AND NOW THEY BEST END IT. Money haha what money..

[rowdytexan2]

But I do agree, getting out of Iraq and quit borrowing for a war for nothing will help a lot. So much of our tax money has been scammed off services to pay for interest on war loans that to provide services your taxes ARE going to go up...if for nothing else, just to pay back the Social Security fund which Bush scouraged for this war also.

[liberalme]

I wish they''d do a poll regarding charging the Bush regime with treason--

[vet_sk]

Anyone else see Colin Powell on CNN this morning. He was agreeing with Obama most of the time of his foreign policy of actually speaking to our enemies.

[excoachken]

DUH. 4 1/2 years and the Cowardly Cowboy hasn''t come to this conclusion. How surprising.

[omega39-2009]

War always produces the hidden tax of inflation. Bush''s little printing press is flooding the economy with more and more worthless money.

[bozworth4]

Stop the war? Guess where we buy our electronic gadgets for about all our high-powered fighting vehicles and aircraft? Can''t be made in the USA? But I bet some foreign country is taking our money that could stay here for building all this killing machine electronics. And what do they buy from us? By the way how many gallons of fuel is diverted from our country to King George IIs'' holy war. Talk about high treason. I haven''t looked yet but probably an adjative for King George II.

[sgtrds]

But if e stop throwing money at the war then how will Cheney and company be able to skim millions off the top and collect kickbacks?

[omega39-2009]

And I wonder, why didn''''t the loan companies turn these people down? They would have before. Think it was over greed lien2lien?

Posted by FloydZepp

You can thank the Republicon zeal to do away with any regulation or oversight of business for that. They are far more concerned with listening in on YOUR phone calls and reading YOUR e-mail than they are about protecting you from their campaign contributors.

[donbl1]

Boz, actually, under DOD rules, military equipment must be built in the US unless not availabe. Sinc almost everything is available in the US, most of the Iraq War money is spent in the US.

Biggest items have been aviation parts, MRAP''s and other equipment. All US built.

Non US material tends to be water, fuel, some of the food and etc. The troops salaries are mostly spent in US or back to the US. Contractors are mostly US.

Without many choices to spend money on in Iraq, most of the money comes back to the US.

Actually, spending for the Iraq War has delayed the recession if you believe in the Laffer Curve.

[bozworth4]

Aren''t any political parties any more!!!! All fall under the heading of politician. Definition: One that would pimp his or her mother for a vote.

[bozworth4]

To donbl1:
Glad to hear that, didn''t really know. Thanks for the enlitement.

[donbl1]

SgtRDS, why make up stuff on skimming by Cheney? To what value does that serve?

He doesn''t need any more money. He turned returned $40M in options to Haliburton to become VP.

There are real problems. They are enough to attack.

[changenow]

If we get out of Iraq, BUSH, CHENEY, Haliburton and the carlyle team won''t be able to make their Billions.
We can''t do THAT!!

[nothappyatall]

Forty-eight percent said a pullout would help fix the country''s economic problems "a great deal,"

Yup, that 14 BILLION a month we are throwing away certainly WOULD help.

"65 percent of Democrats think it would help the economy a lot, but only 18 percent of Republicans think so."

The RepubiCON''s 18% of course would be the minority, the BORROW and spend cons mantra against Dems was Dems TAX and spend, borrow and spend is like a credit card, you get cashola now for free, spend away and worry about the bill plus interest LATER- after they are out of office and leave the mess for the next guy.

A lousy $300 isnt going to do much, those who get $300 will simply pay bills with it and its gone

[Hybdiesel]

Cheer up folks we only have about eleven more months of this turkey, unless we put McCain or the Huck in there, then we will be looking at about 59 more months.

[poopusbuttus]

SgtRDS, why make up stuff on skimming by Cheney? To what value does that serve?

He doesn''''t need any more money. He turned returned $40M in options to Haliburton to become VP.

There are real problems. They are enough to attack.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by donbl1


DONBL1 -- It''s the "Hatred" factor at play with SGTRDS. That''s all it is. There is no facts, rhyme, or reason behind it.

It''s simply spat out by lefties as that is the message they are fed. Hatred of Bush, he''s an idiot, hatred of Cheney, he''s skimming money, the economy is bad, bush lied, we lost all of our freedoms, etc...etc....

The usual mumbo jumbo *** on here daily. None of which, by the way, that can be proven.

[j-whitman]

Howdy folks,,,, What''s wrong with skimming by Cheney ?? He''s done as much to hurt this country than anyone ???

[changenow]

The World trade is killing our economy. Our cars no longer sell, our miliary equipment is no longer the best etc etc.

[donbl1]

Poopus, the Democrats have said we are in a recession for 7 years. With all the political advertising it is no wonder some people think we are in a recession.

I am becoming concerned that the lower end of the intelligence ladder is going to suffer going forward. If you are smart and prepared, you make a very good salary. If not,,,,, those jobs have moved to India.

I am noticing a significant reduction in illegals around here. More Americans now doing jobs that used to be done by Hispanics.

The 12M illegals ALONG with the outsourcing may have been the "proverbial" straw that broke the back of the lower end wage jobs.

[ubrew12]

Nancy_Naive said: "
''The most expensive mortgage taken out in the last 5 years was for the House of Saud.'' It was a 2nd mortgage and it was on the White House,... backed with an unsecured loan by America''s school children."

Not necessarily. The target of the Bush debt (and the war debt) is Social Security. Set up a classic confrontation between school children and their parents. Either the parents can give up the SocSec they''ve paid into all their lives, or the kids can kiss their first-world status goodbye.

Now, says BushCo, CHOOSE!!! (don''t ya just love the choices offered us in this ''land of the free''???)

[poopusbuttus]

I am noticing a significant reduction in illegals around here. More Americans now doing jobs that used to be done by Hispanics.

The 12M illegals ALONG with the outsourcing may have been the "proverbial" straw that broke the back of the lower end wage jobs.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by donbl1


Indeed. That is good news. The border needs to be shut down. That''s all their is to it.

Also, you are correct. By the overwhelming left wing media, it''s no wonder that these people think the way they do.

They are eternal pessimists and always will be. They will camoflauge their true intent (Bush hating) with calling themselves "True Americans" etc....

We know the whole story though.

[j-whitman]

CHANGENOW,,,, Maybe we can invade the world... You know, ''Shock & Awe''

[omega39-2009]

The 12M illegals ALONG with the outsourcing may have been the "proverbial" straw that broke the back of the lower end wage jobs.

Posted by donbl1

Don''t forget the H1B program and the attack on the higher wage side of the pay scale.

[j-whitman]

donbl1,,,,, Maybe you should take a stroll our border counties from Texas to San Diego -- It''s good for a higher education

[donbl1]

ubrew12, assuming you know the rule of 72,,,,,,

think of the future value of the debt the "children" must pay off assuming it is 20 years before they pay taxes? In future dollars, that value is only about 25% of today''s dollar value; i.e., not a big deal. Money is always cheaper in the future.

The REAL danger for our kids is Medicare. That is on a runaway ramp.

[pilgrimsway-2009]

It is also in my view false to say that life in AMERICA today is solely determined by considerations of foreign policy, that the primacy of foreign policy governs today the whole of our domestic life. Certainly a people can reach the point when foreign relations influence and determine completely its domestic life. But let no one say that such a CONDITION is from the first either natural or desirable. Rather the important thing is that a people should CREATE the conditions for CHANGE in this state of affairs.

We know by the charisma who said this!

Answer

Hit-lers quote Jan 27 1932

[donbl1]

J, the illegals are moving out of Oklahoma and North Texas. They are also leaving Arizona.

I guess they are looking for a free handout in California.....

[omega39-2009]

Also, you are correct. By the overwhelming left wing media, it''''s no wonder that these people think the way they do.
Posted by poopusbuttus

I don''t need the "left wing media" to tell me that my family members, friends and neighbors are out of work or that the cost of everything has skyrocketed.

[ubrew12]

donbl1 said: "think of the future value of the debt the ''children'' must pay off assuming it is 20 years before they pay taxes? "
My children are grown. They''re paying for the Reagan administration. Think that''s fair?

(We''ve paid $1 trillion just in INTEREST PAYMENTS on the debt Reagan left us since he left office. My kids, and yours, will pay the PRINCIPAL on that loan).

[michellem99-2009]

Gen Powell he WAS used as He be Black. Whites in govt they told him what to do and say. Bush should be the one to say* sorry I lied to start a war* but he won''t..Obama is winning and he be black. Clinton is runng and she is female.. I want honour for AMERICA. We are not doing right at all by our children,adults,seniors,disabled..that war has taken centre stage. Time to think of this nation and her needs. Years ago I found alot made in USA. It was made here. Not now. WE DON''T KNOW HOW TODAY MAKE WHAT WE USE. We could be making cars that earth friendly..run on other means, have housing and what America needs here. Her military stays here. And I mean here at home.

[poopusbuttus]

I don''''t need the "left wing media" to tell me that my family members, friends and neighbors are out of work or that the cost of everything has skyrocketed.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by omega39

Hmmmmm. Out of a job? Forgive me Omega for seeming a bit "not to caring" about your situation. Perhaps it is time that you wake up and realize that the govt is not going to take care of every aspect of your life.

On top of that, dont you think it''s about time you start persuing another line of work?

What the govt will do for you though is to provide you "Pell Grants", etc, to further your education so you can learn a new skillset.

[donbl1]

ubrew12, not a big deal. It is only 67% of GDP which is very low for a developed country.

Don''t listen to those sound bites as that debt has actually provided jobs and economic growth over the past few years.

If the debt to GDP ratio approaches 80%, I will have a different position.