In August 2025, nine percent of survey respondents said that the most important problem facing the United States was the high cost of living and inflation. Another 24 percent said that the government and poor leadership was the most serious concern for the nation.

In this 2018 survey, eight percent of respondents stated they think the biggest problem for the United States today is Donald Trump. In fact, most of the important problems mentioned are somehow related to the current POTUS – the most mentioned one being immigration and racism.

A country divided

Since Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, political camps in the United States are deeply divided and global politics is in turmoil; Trump’s job approval ratings are notoriously low, and in fact, they are lower than Reagan’s or Nixon’s averages ever were. Trump’s leadership is controversial at best and his executive orders often cause protests, especially among Democrats and liberals – like the travel ban for Muslims.

On the other side

One of Trump’s main campaign promises was a wall on the border with Mexico in order to keep potential illegal immigrants out and enhance security for American citizens. When he did not get the majority for this plan, he declared a national emergency to force the budget to be allocated, even though the majority of Americans did not support this idea, and it is unclear if the situation at the Mexican border actually warrants it. In fact, the total number of unauthorized immigrants has decreased over the last few years and today, many Americans believe that their country benefits from immigrants and their work .

This statistic shows the results of a survey into the public perception of the biggest problems facing the country in Australia in July 2024. During the survey, ** percent of respondents said they thought the most important problem facing Australia today was the cost of living in the country.

Inflation was the most worrying topic worldwide as of May 2025, with ********* of the respondents choosing that option. Crime and violence, as well as poverty and social inequality, followed behind. Moreover, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza, *** percent of the respondents were worried about military conflict between nations. Only *** percent were worried about the COVID-19 pandemic, which dominated the world after its outbreak in 2020. Global inflation and rising prices Inflation rates have spiked substantially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. From 2020 to 2021, the worldwide inflation rate increased from *** percent to *** percent, and from 2021 to 2022, the rate increased sharply from *** percent to *** percent. While rates are predicted to fall by 2025, many are continuing to struggle with price increases on basic necessities. Poverty and global development Poverty and social inequality were the third most worrying issues for respondents. While poverty and inequality are still prominent, global poverty rates have been on a steady decline over the years. In 1994, ** percent of people in low-income countries and around one percent of people in high-income countries lived on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars per day. By 2018, this had fallen to almost ** percent of people in low-income countries and 0.6 percent in high-income countries. Moreover, fewer people globally are dying of preventable diseases, and people are living longer lives. Despite these aspects, issues such as wealth inequality have global prominence.

This poll, fielded April 5-12, 2010, is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way that Barack Obama was handling his job as president, the economy, health care, and the federal budget deficit, what they liked best and least about Obama, whether they thought things in the country were going in the right direction, and what they thought was the most important problem facing the country. Information was collected on whether respondents approved or disapproved of the way Congress was handling its job, whether they approved or disapproved of the way their representative in Congress was handling their job, whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of President Obama, how respondents would rate the national economy, and who they thought was mostly to blame for the state of the national economy. Respondents were queried on whether they thought that the government's stimulus package made the economy better or worse, whether they thought that the country needed a third political party, whether they would rather have a smaller government with fewer services or a bigger government providing more services, how they felt things were going in Washington, DC, whether they thought the federal government should spend money to create jobs even if it means increasing the budget deficit, and whether they would rather reduce the federal budget deficit or cut taxes. Respondents were also asked who they thought was to blame for the current federal budget deficit, whether they thought providing government money to banks and other financial institutions was necessary to get the economy out of a recession, whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, John McCain, George Bush, Ron Paul, Glen Beck, and Sarah Palin. Information was collected on what political figure the respondents admired most, whether they thought Sarah Palin would have the ability to be an effective president, whether they thought President Obama understands the need and problems of people like themselves, whether respondents thought he was more of a liberal, a moderate, or a conservative, whether they thought his policies were moving the country more towards socialism, whether they thought he favored a particular race over another, and whether they thought the Obama Administration had raised or lowered taxes for most Americans. Respondents were asked whether they thought that the federal government should require nearly all Americans to have health insurance, whether they thought it would be a good idea to raise income taxes on households that make more than $250,000 a year in order to help provide health insurance for people who do not already have it, whether they approved or disapproved of requiring health insurance companies to cover anyone who applies regardless of whether they have an existing medical condition, and whether they thought that the programs such as Social Security and Medicare are worth the cost of those programs for taxpayers. Respondents were queried on whether they thought legal immigration into the United States should be kept at its presents level, increased, or decreased, how serious a problem they thought illegal immigration was, whether they thought that global warming was causing a serious environmental problem, whether they thought gay couples should be allowed to marry, whether they thought abortion should be legal, whether they thought gun control law should be made more strict, what socialism means to them, and whether they thought it was ever justified for citizens to take violent action against the government. Respondents were also asked a number of questions about the Tea Party movement, including how much have they heard about it, whether they had a favorable opinion of it, whether they supported it, and whether they thought the Tea Party movement generally reflected the views of most Americans. Finally, respondents were asked if they were ever active in a political campaign, whether they purchased gold bars or coins in the past year, what political party they usually vote for, what news network they watched most, how concerned were they that they or someone in their household would lose their job in the next year, whe

This special topic poll, conducted January 15-18, 2004, was undertaken to assess public opinion prior to President George W. Bush's 2004 State of the Union Address. Views were sought on President Bush and his handling of the presidency and issues such as the economy, foreign affairs, immigration, taxes, and education. Respondents were asked which issue they most wanted President Bush to discuss in his upcoming State of the Union Address, whether terrorism or the economy was a bigger problem facing the country, and how they felt about the policies of the Bush administration. Questions regarding the war with Iraq asked whether it was worth fighting, whether it contributed to the long-term security of the United States, and whether the number of United States military casualties in Iraq so far was acceptable. Opinions were solicited on the success of the United States efforts to break up the al Qaeda terrorist network, to win the cooperation of other countries in fighting terrorism, and to prevent further terrorist attacks in the United States, and whether the country was safer from terrorism now than before September 11, 2001. Several questions focused on the condition of the national economy, whether the economy was in a recession, and whether most Americans were better off financially than they were in 2001 when Bush became president. Respondents were also polled on how closely they were following the 2004 presidential campaign, whether they would vote for President Bush or a Democratic candidate, and whether President Bush or the Democrats in Congress could be trusted to deal with the main problems facing the nation in the next few years. Other topics addressed government spending on space exploration, whether same-sex marriages and civil unions should be legal, and whether entrepreneur Martha Stewart was guilty on charges of obstructing a federal investigation into possible insider stock trading. Background information on respondents includes sex, age, education, ethnicity, marital status, religion, household income, labor union membership, political orientation, political party affiliation, and the strength of their political party affiliation.

Housing was seen as the most important issue facing the Republic of Ireland as of 2025, with 64 percent of respondents placing it as one of the top two issues facing the country. Housing was followed by rising prices and inflation as the second most important issue, selected as a top issue by 35 percent of Irish respondents.

These data were gathered in personal interviews with respondents who represented Americans in senior positions with knowledge of and influence upon international affairs and foreign policy by the Gallup Organization, Inc., between November 20, 1978, and January 12, 1979. These individuals were chosen from the areas of national politics, governmental offices, business, education, the media, national unions, and other organizations with national influence. Respondents were asked to list the biggest problems facing the country, in general, as well as the biggest foreign policy problems. Other questions explored the relationship between domestic and foreign policy priorities, e.g., aid to education, defense spending, farm subsidies, and domestic welfare/relief programs. Respondents' opinions were sought about the roles of various individuals and institutions in the creation of foreign policy, and the appropriate responses of the United States to actions by the former Soviet Union and other countries. They also guaged the threat of communism to the United States in several countries. Other questions covered foreign economic aid, military aid/selling military equipment to other nations, the role of the United States in world affairs, and the use of United States troops in other parts of the world. Respondents were asked to rate the performance of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, and opinions were sought about the type of role that various individuals and institutions (e.g., the president, the CIA, the military, the United Nations, and the Congress) should play in the creation of foreign policy. Respondents' political participation and orientation was also measured. In a similar survey conducted in November 1978, many of the same questions were asked of a sample of the general public in the United States. The results of that survey are collected in AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION AND U.S. FOREIGN POLICY: GENERAL PUBLIC, 1979 (ICPSR 7748).

This poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that evaluate the Bush presidency and solicit opinions on a variety of political and social issues. Respondents were asked to identify the most important problem facing the country, to indicate whether they approved or disapproved of Bush's handling of the presidency in general and of his handling of foreign affairs and the economy in particular, and to offer opinions on whether Bush was able to deal with the big issues that faced the country. Those surveyed were also asked if they approved of the way their own United States Representative was handling his or her job, and whether they approved of the way Congress was doing its job. Concerning economic matters, respondents were asked how the money from potential cuts in military spending should be used, whether they were better off financially than in 1989 when Bush became president, and whether Bush or the Democrats in Congress could be trusted to do a better job on the economy. Concerning political parties, respondents were asked whether the Democrats or Republicans better represented the interests of various groups of people, and whether the Democrats or Republicans could do a better job of coping with the main problems the nation would face in the coming years. Focusing on health care, respondents were asked whether they trusted Bush or the Democrats in Congress to do a better job of improving the health care system in this country, whether they could vote for a candidate whose position on health care was different from theirs, and if a candidate's position on health care was the most important issue to consider in deciding whether to support that candidate. With respect to Bush's 1992 State of the Union address, those surveyed were asked if they approved of most of the proposals made in the speech, how much Bush's economic proposals would help the economy and the respondent's own financial situation, and whether Bush would be able to accomplish most of the goals he outlined in his speech. Concerning the Persian Gulf War, the survey asked respondents whether the war had been worth fighting considering its cost to the United States versus its benefit, and whether the respondent was more likely to support Bush for a second term as a result of the Gulf War. Regarding the issue of extramarital affairs involving a presidential candidate, respondents were asked if they could vote for a candidate who had had an affair, whether the allegation that Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton had had an affair would have an effect on their vote, and if that should be an issue in the presidential election. Respondents were also asked whether Clinton should withdraw from the race if it turned out that he did have an affair with Gennifer Flowers, whether his withdrawal should be based on having had an affair or having denied it, and whether Clinton or Flowers had told the truth. Concerning the 1992 presidential election, respondents were asked for whom they would vote if their state held a Democratic or Republican primary/caucus for president, toward whom they were leaning at the time of the interview, whether they would vote for Bush or various other prospective candidates/nominees if the national election were held at the time of the interview, and toward whom they were leaning at the time of the interview. Those surveyed were also asked their views concerning presidential primaries and caucuses, and about their expectations for the 1992 presidential campaign. Additional campaign questions asked respondents if who is elected in 1992 really made any difference, and whether they thought that they were being referred to when Republican and Democratic candidates for political office talked about the middle class. Other questions dealt with the respondent's impression of various candidates involved in the 1992 presidential election, the reelection of the respondent's representative in Congress, and the chances of the respondent's voting in the 1992 presidential election. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, voter registration status, most recent presidential vote choice, education, age, race, income, economic class, religion, marital status, household composition, labor union membership, urban/suburban/rural residence, and sex.

This dataset covers ballots 333-38, spanning January, March, May, July, September and October 1969. The dataset contains the data resulting from these polls in ASCII. The ballots are as follows: 333 - January This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on various political and social issues. Subjects include discipline in schools, preferred political parties and leaders, and the overall development of the country. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographical and social variables. Topics of interest include: Canadian development; changes in savings; feelings towards the future; putting limits on debates in Parliament; the outcome of giving women more say; political preferences; the preferred size of the population; the proposed reconstruction of the Provinces; the sale of beer in grocery stores; satisfaction with the government; and the idea of going back to a two-party system in Canada. Basic demographic variables are also included. 334 - March This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on a variety of political and social issues of importance to the country and government. Some of the subjects include political leaders, parties and issues, abortion, international development and foreign aid, and lotteries. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographical and social variables. Topics of interest include: abortions for physical and mental reasons; approval of the language rights bill; the court's treatment of criminals; the effectiveness of the Federal government; foreign aid; interest in international development; the legalization of sweepstakes and lotteries; militant students causing damage; political preference; a politician's right to privacy; recognizing Red China; the issue of public workers striking; the use of Medicare money; whether or not regional differences will break confederation; and if Canada will be better off if it was governed federally. Basic demographic variables are also included. 335 - May This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on political and social issues of interest to the country and government. Topics of interest include: involvement in politics, opinions on Trudeau as prime minister, the nature of the U.S. vs Canada, livable income, how the government should raise money, U.S.-Canada relations, integrating neighbourhoods, whether Quebec will gain its independence, opinions on Nixon as president, Rene Levesque, and voting behavior. Basic demographic variables are also included. 336 - July This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on political and social issues of interest to the country and government. There are questions about elections, world conflicts, money matters and prices. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographical and social variables. Topics of interest include: the cutback of NATO forces in Europe; the dispute between Arabs and Jews; the amount of government money spent on Expo '67; opinions on who gets the most profit with the increased prices of vegetables; the amount of objectionable material in the media; the opinions about John Robarts; the opinions about topless waitresses; political preferences; provinces with power; the ratings of Stanfield as leader of the opposition; whether or not some proportion of income is saved; sex education in schools, the use of alcohol; which household member decides on money matters; which family member gets a fixed amount of pocket money; and who gets profit from the increased price of meat. Basic demographic variables are also included 337 - September This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on current issues of importance to the country and government. Some of the questions are politically-based, collecting opinions about political parties, leaders, and policies. There are also other questions of importance to the country, such as problems facing the government, and attitudes towards inflation. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographical and social variables. Topics of interest include: Allowing the police to go on strike; baby bonus cuts to the rich; the biggest worry for the future; the greatest problem facing the Federal government; inflation problems; will the NDP gain support; the opinion of Trudeau; the performance of the police; political preferences; the ratings of Federal MPs; the ratings of Provincial MPs; reducing the work week from 40 to 35 hours; and the Trudeau plan of efficiency. Basic demographic variables are also included. 338 - October This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on important current events topics of the day. Many of the questions in this survey deal with predictions of social, political and economic conditions for the future. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographical and social variables. Topics of interest include: American power in 1970; the amount of student demonstrations; chance of atomic war by 1990; changing the voting age; Chinese power in 1970; the collapse of capitalism; the collapse of civilization; continuation of space programmes; the country with the strongest claim to the South Pole; a cure for cancer; the disappearance of Communism; economic prosperity in 1970; the amount of excitement in life; heart transplant operations; International discord in 1970; the length of life span in the future; man living on the moon; the manufacturing of H-bombs; opinions of 1969; political preferences; predictions for 1990; predictions for the future; predictions of peace in 1990; Russian power in 1970; opinions of a three day work week; and travel involving passports. Basic demographic variables are also included.The codebook for this dataset is available through the UBC Library catalogue, with call number HN110.Z9 P84.

This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians on issues mostly of a political nature, of interest to the country and government. Included are questions about preferred political parties and leaders, the national budget, and voting habits and standards of living. Respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: British Royalty; budget cutbacks; the budget deficit; the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC); car ownership; federal elections; immigration; a lottery to raise money for healthcare and welfare; major problems facing the government; the national budget; political party word association; preferred political parties; standard of living changes; union membership; opinions towards the United States; voting behaviour; and what it means to be Canadian. Basic demographics variables are also included.

According to the data from 2025, some 16 percent of respondents said that rising health care costs were the most important health issue facing the United States. Cancer ranked second on the list with 15 percent. Issues with healthcare costsCurrently, the most urgent problem facing American healthcare is the high costs of care. The high expense of healthcare may deter people from getting the appropriate treatment when they need medical care or cause them to completely forego preventative care visits. Many Americans reported that they may skip prescription doses or refrain from taking medication as prescribed due to financial concerns. Such health-related behavior can result in major health problems, which may raise the long-term cost of care. Inflation, medical debt, and unforeseen medical expenses have all added to the burden that health costs are placing on household income. Gun violence issueThe gun violence epidemic has plagued the United States over the past few years, yet very little has been done to address the issue. In recent years, gun violence has become the leading cause of death among American children and teens. Even though more than half of Americans are in favor of tougher gun control regulations, there is little political will to strongly reform the current gun law. Gun violence has a deep traumatic impact on survivors and society, it is developing into a major public health crisis in the United States.

This Gallup poll seeks the opinions on Canadians on several leading topics of the day. Some of the major subjects of discussion include labour unions, problems facing the country, political issues, and opinions toward trade and investment with other countries, specifically the United States. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: American investment in Canada; brand name recognition; Communist China in the United Nations; criticisms of labour unions; defence policy; federal elections; high income taxes; high prices; preferred political parties; priorities of labour unions; problems facing Canada; railway workers strike; trade with the United States; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included.

This poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to identify the biggest problems facing the country and to comment on whether they thought the United States was generally going in the right direction or was on the wrong track. They were asked whether they approved of Bill Clinton's handling of his job as president, the nation's economy, the federal budget deficit, foreign affairs, and crime, and were asked for their impressions of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Bob Dole, and Ross Perot. Questions covered whether Clinton was keeping most of his major campaign promises and whether the changes Clinton was seeking were mainly right or wrong. Clinton's progress as president in specific areas, such as reducing unemployment, improving the nation's economy, dealing with the federal budget deficit, improving the level of ethics in government, dealing with problems of the middle class, and improving health care, was probed in detail. Additional topics included the Whitewater real estate venture, Tonya Harding, the law limiting welfare benefits, Clinton's health care plan, and the government's involvement in the nation's health care system. Demographic background variables include political orientation, age, race, income, and education.

This dataset covers ballots 266-68, and 270, spanning March, June, and August 1958. The dataset contains the data resulting from these polls in ASCII. The ballots are as follows: 266 This Gallup poll is made up exclusively of political questions. The questions are about voting patterns and tendencies, government, and preferred political parties and leaders. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, democratic and social variables. Topics of interest include: who would make the best leader for the country; car ownership; federal election; John Diefenbaker; Lester Pearson; major problems facing Canada; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 267 This Gallup poll aims to collect the opinions of Canadians, on such subjects as travelling in a satellite, family issues, politics, and voting habits. There are also a couple of questions regarding Canadians' opinions of Russia. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: car ownership; federal election; greatest problem facing families; husbands helping with housework; peace with Russia; preferred political parties; spending by families; travelling in a satellite; union membership; United Nations peacekeeping chances; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 268 This Gallup poll aims to gather the opinions of Canadians on important topics, specifically political events and issues, international relations, and current events. Other topics, including capital punishment and savings, are also discussed. Respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic, and social variables. Topics of interest include: American foreign policy; atom bomb testing; capital punishment; car ownership; distribution of seats in the House of Commons; federal elections; the future for the political parties; influential countries; John Diefenbaker's performance as Prime Minister; nuclear war; labour union criticisms; labour union priorities; preferred political parties; savings; two-party electoral systems; union membership; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included. 270 This Gallup poll seeks to collect the opinions of Canadians. Some of the major topics of this survey are religion, politics, and lowering the voting age. Respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic, demographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: car ownership; changing the Canadian flag; China getting a seat in the United Nations; Diefenbaker's performance; Dulles' performance; Eisenhower's performance; federal elections; what would impress Kruschev most about Canada; labour leaders taking outside orders; lowering the voting age; MacMillan's performance; ministers forced to testify; mixed religion marriages; peace with Russia as the solution to nuclear war; Princess Margaret as the Governor General; provincial elections; union membership; United Nations; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included.The codebook for this dataset is available through the UBC Library catalogue, with call number HN110.Z9 P84.

Direction of the country (1); most serious problems facing the country (2); economic situation (2); personal economic situation (2); opinion of the U.S. (2); like/dislike about the U.S. (2); U.S.-Mexican relations (2); confidence in U.S. to deal responsibly with world problems (1); opinion of U.S. policies affecting Mexico (3); agree/disagree with statement (3); cause of drug problems (1); illegal drugs (3); drug trafficking (6); U.S. illegal drug problem (1); interactions with Americans (1); opinions of Americans (2); American football playing (1); NAFTA (3); U.S. investment in Mexico (1); Mexican exports to the U.S. (1); U.S. imports to Mexico (1); Asian crisis (2); environmental protection (1); most serious environmental problem facing country (1); greatest polluters of environment (1); U.S.-Mexican cooperation to solve border environmental problems (2); descriptions of the U.S. (2); American culture (10); understanding of English language (2); U.S. Visas (8).

This Gallup poll seeks the opinions of Canadians on topics of interest to the country and government. Most of the questions are related to current events concerning the Canadians, and some are political. Some of the subjects include Canada's centennial, faith healing, and the development of the country. The respondents were also asked questions so that they could be grouped according to geographic and social variables. Topics of interest include: whether Canada will soon experience a large period of development; the creation of a government Consumer Affairs Department; whether farm or city people are better off financially; federal elections; the federal government's performance; funerals becoming too elaborate; interest in Canada's centennial; laws regulating faith healers; the likelihood of another world war; major worries of Canadians; new Conservative Party leadership; problems facing Canada; success of family life; union membership; United Nations' performance; and voting behaviour. Basic demographics variables are also included.

The Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) is an academic institution hosted by Vanderbilt University that began with the study of democratic values in Costa Rica, but today carries out surveys in much of Latin America, Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. In 2004, LAPOP established the AmericasBarometer as multi-country, regularly conducted survey of democratic values and behaviors in the Americas, and the first round included voting-age respondents from 11 countries. LAPOP collected opinions on major problems facing the country and community, threats to security, attitudes towards the country's political system, and trust in government institutions. Also measured were respondents' participation in community organizations, attitudes towards government critics, voting behavior, confidence in local government, and the prevalence of crime. Demographic information collected includes nationality, ethnicity, native language, age, gender, education level, occupation, religion, and whether the respondent lives in an urban or rural area.

Abstract (en): This poll, fielded April 15-18, 2004, is part of a series of monthly polls that solicit public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Views were sought on the campaign against terrorism, the war with Iraq, and President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency and issues such as the economy, education, Social Security, foreign affairs, and health insurance. Respondents were asked about the condition of the national economy, whether the country was going in the right or wrong direction, whether most Americans were better or worse off financially than they were in 2001 when Bush became president, their level of concern that they or a household member would lose their job in the next year, and whether recent price increases in gasoline had caused them any financial hardship. Several questions asked how closely respondents were following the 2004 presidential campaign, whether they would vote for President Bush, Democratic candidate John Kerry, or Independent candidate Ralph Nader, the strength of their support for Bush or Kerry, which candidate could be trusted to deal with the main problems facing the nation in the next few years, and the importance of issues such as the economy, the situation in Iraq, and same-sex marriage in their vote. Respondents were also polled on whether the war with Iraq was worth fighting, whether it contributed to the long-term security of the United States, whether the number of United States military casualties in Iraq so far was acceptable, whether military forces in Iraq should be increased, and whether they should remain until civil order was restored in Iraq, even if it meant continued United States military casualties. Other questions asked how closely respondents were following the news about the commission investigating the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, whether the government did all it reasonably could to try to prevent the terrorist attacks, whether the Bush administration was doing a better job handling intelligence about terrorist threats since the attacks, and whether President George W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton should bear any personal responsibility for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Opinions were also solicited on whether the Bush administration had a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq, whether the United States should proceed with its plans to transfer political power to a temporary government in Iraq on June 30, 2004, and whether this transfer would be symbolic or a real change of power. Additional topics addressed the effects of the result of the war with Iraq on the stability of the Middle East and the strength of the United States position in the world. Background information includes sex, age, education, ethnicity, marital status, religion, employment status, household income, social class, political orientation, political party affiliation, number of children living in the household, whether the respondent or a household member was currently serving in the military or was a military veteran, labor union membership, and voter registration and participation history. Persons aged 18 and over living in households with telephones in the contiguous 48 United States. Households were selected by random-digit dialing. Within households, the respondent selected was the adult living in the household who last had a birthday and who was home at the time of the interview. Additional information about sampling, interviewing, weighting, and sampling error may be found in the codebook.The data are provided as an SPSS portable file.This collection has not been processed by ICPSR staff. ICPSR is distributing the data and documentation for this collection in essentially the same form in which they were received. When appropriate, documentation has been converted to Portable Document Format (PDF), data files have been converted to non-platform-specific formats, and variables have been recoded to ensure respondents' anonymity.Produced by Taylor Nelson Sofres Intersearch, Horsham, PA, 2004.

The Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) is an academic institution hosted by Vanderbilt University that began with the study of democratic values in Costa Rica, but today carries out surveys in much of Latin America, Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. In 2004, LAPOP established the AmericasBarometer as multi-country, regularly conducted survey of democratic values and behaviors in the Americas, and the first round included voting-age respondents from 11 countries. LAPOP collected opinions on major problems facing the country and community, threats to security, attitudes towards the country's political system, and trust in government institutions. Also measured were respondents' participation in community organizations, attitudes towards government critics, voting behavior, confidence in local government, and the prevalence of crime. Demographic information collected includes nationality, ethnicity, native language, age, gender, education level, occupation, religion, and whether the respondent lives in an urban or rural area.