One thing that comes along with these record profits is the potential of large bonuses and many of these firms, including those who had accepted and paid back government bailouts, indicate that they will once again be giving large bonuses to their top employees. Knowing this, almost three-quarters of Americans (72%) agree, including almost half (46%) who strongly agree, that the federal government should regulate or limit the amount that Wall Street firms can pay out in bonuses. There is a gender gap on this issue as almost four in five women (79%) believe the government should regulate or limit the amount of bonuses compared to less than two-thirds (64%) of men who say this.
While the American public is of one mind on some things, one area where they are not is with the notion that what is good for Wall Street is good for America. Just over two in five U.S. adults (44%) disagree with that notion but almost the same number (42%) agree with it and 14% of Americans are not at all sure. Again, there is a gender difference as men are more likely to agree with this idea than women are (47% versus 38%). There is also an age divide. Just over half of those aged 45-54 (51%) agree that what is good for Wall Street is good for American while half of those aged 18-34 (50%) disagree with this idea.
So What?
As the dog days of summer wane and as people leave thoughts of beaches and summer vacations behind them, Americans are more likely to have issues such as the economy moving back to the forefront. And, as they do, there will be greater scrutiny on Wall Street. Americans view the firms that make up Wall Street with a skeptical eye already. As they begin to yet again pay out large bonuses, that skepticism is sure to remain and, perhaps, even deepen as the days go along.
