Most Americans doubt measures currently considered to boost economy

Washington, Feb 4 (ANI): A strong majority of Americans want Congress to pass some form of stimulus, but have severe doubts about the measures currently being considered to boost the economy, according to a Gallup poll.

The poll out on Tuesday showed that a majority of Americans want Congress to either reject or make "major changes" to the economic stimulus package on Capitol Hill, FOX News reported.

The poll, conducted from Friday through Sunday, found that 75 percent of Americans want Congress to pass some version of the plan. But the survey reflected deepening doubts about the effectiveness of the programs and spending items currently being considered by federal lawmakers.

Only 38 percent of those polled favored the existing stimulus proposal, down from a slight majority holding that view in the January 28 Gallup survey.

Thirty-seven percent want major changes and 17 percent reject the plan outright, FOX News reported.

"This idea that the public is not excited about this package ... is really having an effect on Capitol Hill," Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said.

Americans for Prosperity has launched a petition on the Web site called NoStimulus.com to oppose what it calls the "big-government pork-barrel spending bill."

The conservative Cato Institute also recently took out a group of ads with a statement signed by 200 economists, saying they "do not believe that more government spending is a way to improve economic performance."

The Senate is currently debating a nearly 890 billion dollars version of the bill, and top Democrats wanted to add 25 billion dollars in highway and mass transit funds during debate on Tuesday. Republicans want more provisions to make housing more affordable.

The Gallup poll also found that even with a stimulus package, only 10 percent of people think the economy will improve this year as a result of the plan. Fifty-three percent said the plan will either have no effect on their families or make their financial situations worse.

The poll reflects a substantial partisan divide, with 59 percent of Democrats calling for passage without changes while 43 percent of Republicans want major changes and another 35 percent reject it. (ANI)