Political Participation

• 1Are you highly interested, somewhat interested, not too interested, or not at all interested in public affairs and politics?
• 2Are you currently registered to vote?Top 100 question
• 3Within the last four years or since mid-2002, how likely were you to vote in elections, referenda, or bond issues? Did you:?Top 100 question
• 4Within the last four years or since mid-2002, have you run for public office?
• 5In that time frame, were you appointed by a public official to a public office or position?
• 6A(political activity) Displayed a bumper sticker or wore a button for or against a political candidate or public policy position.
• 6B(political activity) Canvassed door-to-door or participated in a telephone bank advocating or opposing a candidate or issue.
• 6C(political activity) Took part in a political protest, demonstration, or boycott.
• 6D(political activity) Lobbied a public official for or against a public policy or policy issue.
• 6E(political activity) Attended a political speech, campaign rally, or political convention.
• 6F(political activity) Signed or circulated a petition for a political candidate or policy issue.
• 6G(political activity) Telephoned or wrote friends, family or associates asking for support or opposition to a candidate or an issue.
• 6H(political activity) Joined or renewed membership in a political party.
• 6I(political activity) Displayed a sign at home or on your business premises supporting or opposing a candidate or policy issue.
• 6J(political activity) Was a member of an organization that often takes stands on public policy issues. The National Rifle Association, the Sierra Club, the Chamber of Commerce or NFIB are examples.
• 6K(political activity) Wrote letters-to-the-editor.
• 6L(political activity) Initiated discussions with an employee or employees on a policy issue.
• 7Within the last four years, since mid-2002, have you contributed financially to support or oppose a policy issue, a candidate for public office or a PAC?
• 7aAbout how many different causes, candidates or PACS did you financially contribute to?
• 7bAbout how much in total did you contribute?
• 8Did any of the activities in which you participated involve LOCAL candidates, elections, referenda, and so forth?
• 9Did any of the activities in which you participated involve STATE candidates, elections, referenda, and so forth?
• 10Did any of the activities in which you participated involve FEDERAL candidates, elections, referenda, and so forth?
• 11Did most of your political and public affairs activities over the last four years involve local, state, or federal issues and/or candidates?
• 12Did most of those activities involve:?
• 13Were most of those activities stimulated by:?
• 14A(views on politics) Politics are sleazy.
• 14B(views on politics) Being active in public affairs can generate business.
• 14C(views on politics) One person can do very little to change the political landscape.
• 14D(views on politics) Political activity takes productive time away from your business.
• 14E(views on politics) Business people must participate in politics to protect their business interests.
• 14F(views on politics) Every citizen has a duty to participate in public affairs, even if it is just voting.
• 14G(views on politics) Politics can be lots of fun and a good social activity.
• 14H(views on politics) Positive change can occur if good people participate in public affairs.
• 14I(views on politics) Being too closely identified with policy issues and politics is bad for business.
• 14J(views on politics) Business owners are leaders and leaders should lead, in public affairs and elsewhere.
• 14K(view of politics) You are expected to contribute or pay to be effective in politics.
• 14L(views on politics) Ensuring good public policy is a constant struggle.

Volume 5, Issue 4, 2005
ISSN 1534-8326

William J. Dennis, Jr
NFIB Research Foundation