The Public Links Rising Costs to Corporate Greed

September 21, 2021
Bryan Bennett

More than seven in ten Americans find arguments linking rising costs to corporations squeezing consumers and passing off costs.

Key takeaways

  • Biden and Democrats’ economic plan maintains support from two in three Americans, including three in five independents.
  • Tying costs going up to large corporations trying to maximize profits is the most effective way to contextualize rising prices.
  • Among those who say the weather in their community is different from years past, three in four say the weather has gotten hotter and blame climate change.

Americans Growing Slightly More Optimistic About Personal Finances, But Remain Negative on the National Economy

Since August 30th, there has been a 5-point increase in confidence in personal finances (from 42% to 47%), driven most by an increase in confidence among Black (+9, 53% to 62%) and Hispanic (+11, 44% to 55%) Americans.

A Majority Continue to Support Biden and Democrats’ New Economic Plan

Three in five independents (61%) and two in five Republicans (39%) support the new economic plan.

Two in Three Say Costs Are Going Up a Significant Amount, But Split Nearly Evenly On Reasons Why

Nine in ten Americans overall say that costs of everyday goods are going up, with nearly two in five blaming the government and a similar share blaming companies trying to keep up with new demand as the economy reopens.

Linking Rising Prices to Corporate Greed and Maximizing Profits Is Most Convincing

Nearly three in four say messaging linking rising prices to large corporations maximizing their own profits is convincing, including majorities of Democrats, independents, and Republicans.

Among Those Who Say Weather Changing, Most Say It’s Hotter and Blame Climate Change

Those who say weather in their community is different from years past say they are experiencing hotter weather, and more droughts, wildfires, and flooding. More than two in five blame climate change for rising temperatures.

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About The Study

This release features findings from a national online survey of 995 registered voters conducted September 9-13, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 100 Hispanic voters, 100 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 79 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.

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