Political Participation

1. 1

   Small-business owners express considerable interest in public affairs and politics. Forty-two (42) percent are highly interested and another 41 percent are somewhat interested.

2. 2

   Disproportionately large percentages of small-business owners are registered to vote (95%), usually do vote (84%), and run for elective office (3%).

3. 3

   The proportion of small-business owners who are active in public affairs and political activities is small compared to the number who avoid them (except voting). Most, however, periodically dabble in public affairs and politics, though less often in the campaign aspect. The activities they tend to prefer are more passive, less visible, and less time consuming.

4. 4

   The most common public affairs and political activities in which small employers appear to engage include: initiating discussion(s) with an employee(s) regarding the impact of a policy issue on the firm and membership(s) in an organization(s) with a policy/political bent. Less frequent are activities like lobbying public officials, circulating/signing petitions, or attending political speeches, rallies, or conventions. Least frequent are activities like canvassing or participating in a telephone bank.

5. 5

   Forty-three (43) percent of small employers contributed financially to causes, candidates or PACs over the last four years. The median number supported during that time was two with more than half of contributors giving less than $1,000.

6. 6

   All three levels of government receive small-business owner attention. Interest in activities at one level does not appear to dominate that at the others. The division of interest between candidates and issues falls marginally towards candidates.

7. 7

   The motivating concern to become involved in public affairs and politics for 39 percent of small employers is to improve the overall well-being of the area/state/country. Sixteen (16) percent cite a personal interest in these topics while 14 percent attribute it to business interests. Eleven (11) percent want to solve a particular problem(s). The remainder cannot explain their motivation.

8. 8

   Despite frequent dabbling in public affairs and politics, small-business owners hold a decidedly mixed view regarding their repute and probity. Fifty-seven (57) percent agree or strongly agree that politics is sleazy.

9. 9

   A sense of duty appears to be the prevailing attitude toward public affairs and politics. Ninety-six (96) percent believe that every citizen should participate, if only to vote. Eighty-two (82) percent agree that business owners are leaders, and leaders have a responsibility to lead in public affairs and elsewhere.

10. 10

    Small-business owners overwhelmingly agree that positive change can result when good people participate in public affairs. They also overwhelmingly believe that achieving good public policy is a constant struggle.

Volume 5, Issue 4, 2005
ISSN 1534-8326

William J. Dennis, Jr
NFIB Research Foundation

• 2Are you currently registered to vote? Top 100
• 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
• 1Are you highly interested, somewhat interested, not too interested, or not at all interested in public affairs and politics?
• 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.