LSU Survey Results
Louisiana's Children: A Future At Risk
Which of the following do you think is a greater priority for Louisiana right now--cutting taxes and spending, or making sure that there is sufficient funding for addressing the needs of young children?
% Before % After Cutting state taxes and spending 0.0 8.3 Making sure there is sufficient funding for needs of young children 92.3 83.3 Depends 7.7 8.3 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 We are also interested in when you think government should intervene with parents in raising their children. For each of the following cases, please indicate how far you think authorities should go in dealing with a 10 year old child and his or her parents. First,
The child uses drugs and the parents don't do anything about it.
Should public authorities...
% Before % After Take no action 0.0 0.0 Give warnings or counseling 84.6 91.7 Take child from the parents 15.4 8.3 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 The parents fail to provide the child with proper food and clothing.
Should public authorities...
% Before % After Take no action 0.0 8.3 Give warnings or counseling 69.2 83.3 Take child from the parents 15.4 8.3 Don't know / Not available 15.4 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 The child regularly skips school and the parents don't do anything about it.
Should public authorities...
% Before % After Take no action 0.0 0.0 Give warnings or counseling 92.3 91.7 Take child from the parents 7.7 8.3 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Here are some areas of government spending. Please indicate whether you would like to see more or less government spending in each area. Remember that if you say more, it might require a tax increase to pay for it.
Child care for poor children
Should government spend:
% Before % After Much more 30.8 33.3 More 30.8 50.0 The same as now 23.1 16.7 Less 0.0 0.0 Much less 7.7 0.0 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Child care for all children with working parents.
Should government spend:
% Before % After Much more 0.0 25.0 More 30.8 58.3 The same as now 46.2 8.3 Less 0.0 8.3 Much less 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 14.5 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Drug abuse prevention and treatment for children and youth
Should government spend:
% Before % After Much more 30.8 36.4 More 46.2 18.2 The same as now 7.7 36.4 Less 0.0 9.1 Much less 7.7 0.0 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Health care for children's whose families don't have health insurance
Should government spend:
% Before % After Much more 23.1 40.0 More 53.8 30.0 The same as now 15.4 30.0 Less 0.0 0.0 Much less 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Housing for poor families with children
Should government spend:
% Before % After Much more 0.0 40.0 More 46.2 40.0 The same as now 38.5 20.0 Less 0.0 0.0 Much less 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 15.4 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Preschool programs for children like Head Start
Should government spend:
% Before % After Much more 15.4 30.0 More 46.2 40.0 The same as now 30.8 30.0 Less 0.0 0.0 Much less 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 When it comes to children who have been found guilty of a crime, which of the following comes closest to your view:
% Before % After Locking up youthful offenders sends a message to other youthful offenders that will make them think twice before committing a crime 23.1 10.0 A system that does little more than lock up youthful of fenders and doesn't provide rehabilitation or preventative programs will only lead to more crime 53.8 90.0 Don't Know / Not Available 23.1 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
% Before % After Few Big Interests 61.5 77.8 Benefit of all 23.1 22.2 Don't Know / Not Available 15.4 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 How much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do -- a good deal, some, or not much?
% Before % After Good Deal 15.4 16.7 Some 23.1 33.3 Not Much 61.5 50.0 Don't Know / Not Available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
I am generally well informed about this show's topic.
% Before % After Strongly agree 38.5 33.3 Agree 53.8 33.3 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 16.7 Disagree 7.7 16.7 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
I understand why people would disagree with my perspective on this issue.
% Before % After Strongly agree 15.4 25.0 Agree 69.2 41.7 Neither agree nor disagree 7.7 33.3 Disagree 0.0 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 7.7 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Discussions - even those that involve serious disagreements - should be an important part of the political processes.
% Before % After Strongly agree 46.2 66.7 Agree 53.8 33.3 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 0.0 Disagree 0.0 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0 Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Democracy requires hearing from all sides of a political issue, even those with unpopular views.
% Before % After Strongly agree 61.5 91.7 Agree 38.5 8.3 Neither agree nor disagree 0.0 0.0 Disagree 0.0 0.0 Strongly disagree 0.0 0.0 Don't know / Not available 0.0 0.0 Refused 0.0 0.0
Some questions and comments may be included in the program.
