Poll: Just 28% Believe Rebate Checks Will Boost U.S. Economy, Most Against Bailout for Big Investors

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UTICA, New York - As many Americans await the arrival of rebate checks from the federal government aimed at boosting the U.S. economy, a new Zogby Interactive poll finds just 28% believe the government's economic stimulus rebate plan will help.

Most Americans also have misgivings about the possibility of the federal government stepping in to help struggling investment companies and those facing foreclosure on their homes. Two in three Americans (68%) disagree with the idea of the federal government stepping in to help investment companies that are suffering because of their heavy investments in worthless mortgages - just 25% believe the government should take steps to help these companies.

When asked which problems pose the greatest threat to the U.S. economy, Americans are most concerned with the credit and subprime lending crisis (19%), high gas prices (18%) and the weak dollar (17%). Others said their top concerns were the costs associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (16%) and inflation on core consumer goods, including food (14%). Among Republicans, high gas prices (23%), the credit crisis (20%) and the weak dollar (20%) are seen as the top threats, while more than one in four Democrats (28%) believe the costs associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan poses the greatest danger to the economy, followed by the credit crisis (18%) and high gas prices (15%).

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