Poll: Economy, jobs top concerns

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PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. economy and the job situation led the issues Americans named as the most important problems facing the country, a Gallup poll indicates.

Results released Tuesday indicated only one other issue, dissatisfaction with government, was mentioned by at least 10 percent of Americans.

The economy and jobs -- or the lack of jobs -- have been the two most commonly mentioned problems every month this year, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. In the latest polling, 33 percent of respondents said the economy in general was their top concern, while 28 percent said their main concern was the combined jobs-unemployment situation. Eleven percent of participants said dissatisfaction with government was their major issue.

Respondents also frequently mentioned healthcare and natural disaster response related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and were consistent in listing dissatisfaction with the government.

The September poll indicated Americans were divided about which party would better handle the problem they consider most important, with 40 percent saying the Republican party and 38 percent saying the Democratic party.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,019 adults conducted Sept. 13-16. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.