What Are We Most Angry About? The Economy, Unemployment, the Government, Taxes and Immigration

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A new BBC World News America/Harris Poll asks Americans what they are angry about.  The economy is at the top of the list.  Nearly two-thirds (63%) of all adults are angry about the economy, with 46% reporting they are "very angry."  Anger about unemployment and the government is almost equally strong; 62% are angry about unemployment with 45% very angry; 62% are angry about the "government in general" with 43% very angry.

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These are some of the results of BBC World News America/Harris Poll of 2,699 adults surveyed online between October 7 and 11, 2010 by Harris Interactive.

Other things that majorities are very or somewhat angry about are taxes (58%), immigration (56%), education (51%) and big business (52%).  Fewer people are angry about same sex and gay rights (33%), the environment and energy issues (47%) and foreign policy (48%).

On most of these topics, supporters of the Tea Party movement are angrier than any of the other groups we looked at.  And Republicans in general, who include many Tea Party supporters, are angrier than Democrats about most topics.  Fully 79% of Tea Party supporters are very or somewhat angry about the economy, compared to 71% of Republicans and 60% of Democrats. And 83% of Tea Party supporters are angry about the government, compared to 74% of Republicans and 54% of Democrats.

However, there are a few exceptions to this pattern.  Democrats (62%) are more likely than Republicans (40%) or Tea Party supporters (46%) to be very or somewhat angry with big business.  Democrats (46%) and Republicans (45%) are equally angry about the environment and energy issues and only slightly less angry than Tea Party supporters (52%).

There is also an age difference in how angry Americans are on this topic.  Across the board, older Americans (those 55 and older) are angrier than their youngest counterparts (those 18-34).  For example, seven in ten U.S. adults 55 and older are angry about the economy in general (71%), government in general (70%), and unemployment (70%), while just over half of those 18-34 are angry about these (55%, 56% and 52% respectively).

So what?

With less than two weeks until the Congressional midterm elections, the question becomes how does this anger translate?  Democrats are in power, so do they feel the brunt of the electorate's anger? Or is it spread amongst all incumbents?  Come the morning of November 3rd, these questions should all be finally answered.

Methodology

This BBC World News America/Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between October 7 and 11, 2010 among 2,699 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The Harris Poll® #125, October 21, 2010

By Humphrey Taylor, Chairman, The Harris Poll, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us -- and our clients -- stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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SOURCE Harris Interactive