Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 16, 1995                   TAG: 9503160029
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MAKING A MESS OF IT

What do you think about the federal government's ability to solve problems?

Creates more problems than it solves 67%

Solves more problems than it creates 21%

Unsure 12%

Who thinks government creates more problems than it solves?

Whites and blacks are in agreement.

RACE

Whites: 67%

Blacks: 65%

Seniors are the least likely to believe government creates more problems than it solves.

AGE

18-29: 72%

30-49: 72%

50-64: 70%

65 and up: 52%

Is a little knowledge a dangerous thing? Those with some college background are the most likely to think the feds cause more problems than they solve.

EDUCATION

High school drop-outs: 57%

High school grads: 67%

Some college: 75%

College graduates: 67%

Advanced degrees: 61%

The more money someone makes, the more likely they are to believe the federal government causes more problems than it solves.

INCOME

Less than $10,000: 53%

$10,000-$19,999: 67%

$20,000-$29,999: 69%

$30,000-$39,999: 77%

$40,000 and up: 74%

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to think the federal government causes more problems than it solves. With the GOP, it's practically an article of faith.

Democrats: 54%

Republicans: 77%

Independents: 67%

The Roanoke Valley Poll was conducted by Roanoke College's Center for Community Research. The poll surveyed 400 Roanoke Valley residents and has a margin of error of 5 percentage points. Among demographic subgroups, the margin may be higher.