Voters Hate Government Program Fraud, Survey Finds
People hate fraud even though they underestimate how much of it there is. Think of how angry the public will be if they ever find out the truth.
Likely voters across the United States overwhelmingly believe fraud in federal government programs is a major problem, and they think so even though they greatly underestimate the amount of fraud that is occurring.
“Fraud in federal government spending is a serious problem, most voters believe, but not many realize just how big the problem really is,” Rasmussen reported on a recent survey the organization performed.
The survey found 79 percent of likely voters think fraud is a big problem, and 55 percent describe it as “very serious.” Only 17 percent say fraud is not a serious problem.
Although the Government Accountability Office has estimated fraud may total more than a half-billion dollars a year, only 19 percent of the likely voters polled said they think the annual fraud toll is more than $500 billion. Eighteen percent said it is between $250 trillion and $500 trillion, which tracks well with GAO’s estimate of $233 billion to $521 billion.
Of the rest who gave an estimate, 25 percent said the annual amount of fraud is $100 billion to $250 billion, and 21 percent said it’s less than $100 billion. That amounts to 46 percent saying it is below the GAO’s estimate, and 37 saying it is at or above that range.
Voters strongly support greater eligibility enforcement, the survey found. Investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson summarizes those results (which are behind a paywall at Rasmussen) as follows:
Ninety percent (90%) say it is important to arrest and prosecute those who commit fraud in federal government spending programs, including 72% who say it is very important.
Views vary somewhat by party. Republicans are more likely than Democrats or unaffiliated voters to estimate the amount of fraud at $250 billion or more annually. Majorities of Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters also say prosecuting government spending fraud is very important.
The conclusion is clear, in my view: American voters hate theft from government programs, and they will be even angrier than they already are if the scope of the problem turns out to be far greater than they now think it is.
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