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VOTERS READY TO ACT ON GLOBAL HUNGER
Election Day Poll — Key Findings
In good times and in bad, voters want their government to be generous to hungry people and act boldly to break the cycle of extreme poverty that ensnares one billion people globally. In fact, the voters who are at the greatest risk for hunger themselves are also the most adamant that the U.S. should be doing everything it can to help hungry people around the world.
The 2008 Hunger Message Project Election Day Poll found that despite bleak economic conditions at home, voters want the U.S. to lead the fight against global hunger. lthough budgets are tightening, voters are ready to increase America’s financial commitment to fighting hunger, even when they are told the price tag.
SEVEN KEY FINDINGS ON GLOBAL HUNGER
| 1. Voters believe that the global hunger program is big and growing |
| Voters expressed near unanimity over the extent of the global hunger problem, with 94 percent saying that hunger is a problem in other countries and three-quarters (74 percent) saying that hunger in other countries is a “big problem.” More than half (59 percent) of voters believe the global hunger problem is growing worse. |
| 2. Voters are ready to spend money on global hunger relief |
| Voters strongly support increased spending to combat hunger abroad. More than two-thirds (67 percent) support a program to ensure every child around the world gets at least one meal a day, even if it costs the U.S. $3 billion per year. |
3. When it comes to cutting costs, voters want defense spending reduced before hunger spending |
In tough fiscal times, voters prioritize other ways to save money over cutting hunger programs. A majority (55 percent) said they would rather repeal tax cuts and nearly one in five (18 percent) recommended cutting national defense spending. Only 4 percent endorsed cutting hunger programs. |
4. Voters want more effective policies to help fight hunger abroad |
Americans want action on hunger, but they understand that we must change our national policy. Nearly half (49 percent) believe there should be a cabinet-level official in charge of leading the fight against hunger and poverty, at home and around the world.
Voters also want to see a more effective food aid policy. A plurality (44 percent) said that our current system of spending half of all food aid on buying and shipping American food is “a shame because so little money is actually used to feed the hungry.” |
| 5. Voters believe global hunger reduction is in our national self-interest |
Americans believe that it is in our country’s self-interest to reduce poverty and fight hunger around the world. An overwhelming majority (70 percent) of voters agree with the statement “It is in the United States’ best interests to invest in health, economic infrastructure, and security of developing nations.”
Voters also think that investing in economic development and reducing hunger globally will protect national security. A strong majority (69 percent) agree that fighting hunger and promoting economic opportunity “can increase stability around the world, making the United States more secure from the threat of terrorism.” |
6. Voters see global hunger reduction as a patriotic responsibility |
| As America works to rehabilitate its status around the world, voters see the fight against hunger as a way for our country to renew its international leadership. More than two-thirds (69 percent) of those polled agreed that “It is our patriotic responsibility as Americans to lead the world in helping to reduce global suffering.” |
7. Voters want to hear more about hunger from political candidates |
American voters say they did not hear enough about hunger in the last election cycle. When asked whether they heard enough from presidential candidates about reducing hunger in America and globally, 60 percent said they did not.
At the same time, hunger mattered to voters when they entered the voting booth. More than half (56 percent) said candidates’ positions on hunger were important when deciding their vote for president and almost exactly half (51 percent) said candidates’ positions on hunger were important in deciding their vote for Congress. |
SUMMARY: Voters Want Action on Global Hunger - Seven Key Findings
FULL REPORT: An Electorate Ready for Action - 10 Key Findings on Hunger
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