Tuesday January 26, 2010
Poll: Majority of Ohioans Oppose Use of Federal Funds for Abortion
COLUMBUS, OH, January 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Ohioans are paying more to attention to issues like federal funding for abortions as a result of the months-long debate over national health care reform, according to a poll released today by Ohio Right to Life Society. In the third installment of its Ohio Cultural Index, the group also found Ohioans continue to have a strong faith in God and believe abortions have a negative impact on the women who have the procedure.
“The combined results of three surveys conducted over six months reinforces our belief that Ohio is a center-right state whose voters reject the pro-abortion lobby’s constant attempts to manipulate government and siphon off tax dollars,” said Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis. “Those who represent Ohioans in Congress and at the Statehouse would be wise to heed the will of the voters on this important issue.”
The survey found a significant number of Ohioans, 67 percent, opposed the use of tax dollars to fund abortions.
Seventy-four percent of respondents reported a strong belief in God, and 57 percent believe abortions have a negative impact on women who have them. These finding are nearly identical to the previous survey conducted in September 2009.
When asked if, compared to when they were growing up, Ohio families were doing a better or worse job at instilling character into their children, 52 percent said this generation was having a harder time. However, that number is down from 56 percent three months ago. Also, while 45 percent of Ohioans believe government policies have a negative impact on family values, the previous survey found the number 9 points higher at 54 percent.
The entire poll and analysis is available for download at the Ohio Right to Life website here.
The index’s significant findings include:
· 74% of Ohioans surveyed strongly believe in God;
· 57% believe abortion has a negative effect on women who have them;
· 67% oppose use of taxpayer dollars to pay for abortion;
· 30% believe some elderly or very sick patients will be denied health care because of cost factors;
· 44% believe entertainment today negatively impacts families;
· 45% believe government policies are harming traditional family values;
· 55% believe public schools undermine values taught at home; and
· 52% believe families do a worse job of developing character than a generation ago.
The index is calculated on a 100-point scale based on responses to 11 questions about different aspects of culture and character in Ohio. It is based on a quarterly public opinion survey of adults across the state. The Ohio Cultural Index rating is 62.2 on a 100-point scale. The score is five points higher than the previous rating of 57, registered in September 2009, and two points higher than the inaugural rating of 60.2, registered in July 2009.
The survey was conducted January 8-12, 2010 by Wenzel Strategies, and included 1001 Ohio registered voters contacted by phone. The poll carries a 95 percent confidence interval and a margin of error of +/- 3.07 percentage points.