As a participant in the Zogby International Poll I share some of today’s many questions that deal with our energy policy. Other topics covered the Foreign Policy recommendations by President Bush including our relations with Cuba. You can refuse to answer some of the questions or check the box which states that you are “not sure” of the answer.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being not at all concerned and 5 being very concerned, how concerned are you about a potential rise in gas prices over the next year . . .
Which of the following two statements do you most agree with – A or B?
As a result of the rise in gas prices over the past year:
Statement A: I have changed my spending habits to save money.
Statement B: I have left my spending habits unchanged.
What price would gasoline have to reach for you to decide to significantly cut back on your amount of driving?
$3.00 per gallon
$4.00 per gallon
$5.00 per gallon
$6.00 per gallon
Price does matter
Not sure
Do you think you currently pay too much for gas, too little for gas, or just about the right amount for gas?
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being no impact and 5 being a great impact, please rate the impact you believe each of the following has on the price of gasoline.
The U.S. government’s relations with Middle Eastern Nations
The U.S. government policy
Market forces
Middle East politics
Oil companies
The Iraq War
The Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC)
In your opinion, do the oil companies make too much profit, too little profit, or just about the right amount of profit?
In 2006, several oil companies made record profits (generally known as “windfall” profits). Do you believe that profits above and beyond what many would describe as normal profits should be taxed or should not be taxed?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S. is too reliant on non-renewable fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas)?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S. is too reliant on oil from foreign sources?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S. is too reliant on oil from the Middle East?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that reliance on Middle East oil represents a potential security threat to the U.S?
The top oil exporter to the U.S. is Canada, followed by Mexico. Knowing that, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S. is too reliant on foreign oil?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the Bush administration has an energy policy that will meet our needs in the coming decades?
Thinking about America’s use of oil, which of the following statements best reflects your thinking on the subject – A, B, or C?
Statement A: America should use as much oil as it needs to keep it growing.
Statement B: America should balance its oil consumption with that of other important economies to make sure that everyone has enough to meet their needs without shortages or price spikes.
Statement C: America should now reduce its oil consumption to spare more for other nations who are trying to grow their economies and provide jobs for their citizens.
In general, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose drilling for oil off the coastlines of America?
Do you think oil drilling should or should not be allowed in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
If you had to choose, which of the following places would you most support drilling for oil?
(Choose only ONE.)
The Gulf of Mexico
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Not sure
Other-Specify
Of the following possible government actions, which one do you think would best encourage the development and use of alternative forms of energy?
(Choose Only ONE)
Increased investment in research and development of alternative energies
Tax breaks for those who purchase hybrids or more fuel-efficient cars
A publicly funded campaign to raise awareness of alternative energy
Tax breaks for small businesses that use alternative energies
Not sure
Other-Specify
Which of the following types of alternative energy do you believe will be the most useful in the future?
(Please Choose Only One)
Wind
Solar
Ethanol/Biomass
Hydroelectric
Thermal
Other
Not sure
Which of the following types of alternative energy do you believe is most likely to replace fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) in the future?
(Please Choose Only One)
Wind
Solar
Ethanol/Biomass
Hydroelectric
Thermal
Other
Not sure
What percentage of fossil fuel use (oil, coal, natural gas) do you believe will be replaced by alternative, renewable energy sources in 10 years:
Less than 25%
26% to 50%
51% to 75%
More than 75%
None
Not sure
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that nuclear power is safe?
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being do not trust and 5 being trust completely, to what degree do you trust the following to ensure the safety of nuclear power production:
The energy industry
The Federal government
State and Local governments
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S should build more nuclear power stations in order to meet our future energy needs?
Would you support or oppose the building of a nuclear power station in your community?
Do you support shipping all nuclear waste to one underground location, or keeping it at the site that produced it?
Would you accept or not accept an underground nuclear waste site in your own state?
Regardless of the type or source, do you think the U.S. uses too much energy, does not use enough energy, or uses the right amount of energy?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S. government should act to reduce energy use in the U.S. even if that meant significant changes in your lifestyle?
Of the following energy saving measures, which of the following have you adopted in your personal life to conserve on energy?
(Choose all that apply)
Buying a more fuel efficient or hybrid car
Using public transportation
Carpooling
Switching to more energy efficient light bulbs (for example, compact fluorescent bulbs)
Making sure lights are turned off when leaving the room or house
Adjusting the heating or air conditioning to use less power (or be off completely) when not home or at night
Using less water (for example, not letting water run while brushing teeth or taking shorter showers)
Other (Specify: )
Not Sure
Now for a few questions about current international events.
Overall, how would you rate President Bush’s performance in handling the war in Iraq?
In general, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the President’s plan to send 21,500 additional troops to Iraq over the coming months?
In general, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disag
ree, or strongly disagree with the President’s plan to increase the overall size of the military by 92,000 soldiers over the next 5 years?
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being not a factor and 5 being a major factor, what role do you believe Iraq’s supply of oil played in the U.S. decision to launch the Iraq war?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the recent decision by U.S. military to strike against alleged al-Qaeda targets in Somalia?
In general do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the U.S. restrictions that prevent trade and/or travel to Cuba?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S. should remove the travel restrictions and end the embargo on trade to Cuba?
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree that the U.S. should intervene in the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan?
Increasingly, investment firms are encouraging individuals to invest money into emerging international markets. If you were given the option of investing in an emerging market, in which of the following would you be most likely to invest?
(Choose Only ONE)
India
China
South Korea
Brazil
Russia
Mexico
Chile
Egypt
South Africa
Other
Not sure
Larry, please learn to use the link feature – it works better that copy & paste – then you can put in your opinion or isn’t this a blog site?
I apologize to everyone for this lengthy report and will refrain from taking up so much of the blog in future posts.
There is no link associated with the multi-page survey. However I felt that the questions in this latest report were of interest to the blog readers. You have no idea as to the amount of material that I edited out to reduce the length.
With that said please let others know your thoughts on some of the questions that are being asked. That’s the purpose and advantage of having blogs.
Thank you!
Larry,
is there or are they going to post the results of the poll?
In regard to “Windfall Profits,” I strongly disagree that there should be some sort of punitive tax. Taxes on oil companies are too high to begin with. The rate on which we tax corporations is insane as it is. Why should the Federal government get 35% of a corporation’s profits and California get almost 9% and then additional taxes if dividends are paid out.
The last investment I made was to put more money into a Luxemboug based oil services compnay because I was concerned about the prospect of an additional tax hit to US based corporations.
As to alternative energy, I do support efforts to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels which is why one of the domestic investments I have made is in our very own Irvine based Composite Technology Corp. These guys have an electricity transmission cable that replaces traditional steel core cable, with a carbon fiber core. Smaller core, plus greater and more pure alunimum conductor allows twice the electicity to flow through the cable. Utilities can double grid capacity without new towers, right of ways, etc. saving utilities and rate payers hundreds of millions of dollars.
But I digress. They also have begun producing wind turbines (granted production is in Texas, not California.) Granted this investment is risky, but it is important to me to do what I can to promote renewable and clean energy sources.
Cook.
I generally see John Zogby quoted in the print media as you read about topic polls. They may also post the results on their web site.
If I do find it later I will post a BRIEF commentary as to where to find it.