Results from the West Virginia Poll give insights into how we see our state and our country. The poll was conducted by R.L. Repass and Partners, Inc. for the Charleston Daily Mail of 401 likely voters. (The national figures come from Pew Research).
We still believe in the work ethic. 68 percent of West Virginians questioned think most people can get ahead if they work hard. That’s two percent higher than the national average. Still, nearly one in three West Virginians say working hard is no guarantee of success.
Although West Virginia is a poor state—21 percent of the population is below the poverty level—we don’t have much sympathy for the plight of the poor. The poll found that 69 percent of West Virginia voters agree with the statement, “Poor people today have it easy because they can get government benefits without doing anything in return.” That’s 21 points higher than the national number.
Nationally, about half of all voters believe government aid to the poor does more harm than good by making people dependent on government assistance, but in West Virginia that number is much higher—61 percent.
But we also don’t have a very positive view of big business. Nearly two out of every three voters here think corporations make too much profit. Nationally, only about half of voters think that way.
Along those same lines, 82 percent of West Virginia voters believe too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few large companies.
West Virginia voters’ concerns about the impact of EPA rules on the coal industry are reflected in the question about government regulations. 60 percent believe stricter environmental policies cost too many jobs and hurt the economy, compared with 41 percent nationally.
West Virginians’ views also differ from the national perspective on race. 75 percent of state residents say enough changes have been made to give blacks equal rights, but across the country only 51 percent believe that to be true.
We also appear to be more concerned about immigration. Nearly two out of three West Virginia voters say immigrants are “a burden on our country because they take our jobs, housing and health care.” The national average on that question is one in three. Additionally, 63 percent of West Virginians say the growing number of newcomers threatens traditional American customs and values.
And one final political note: The West Virginia Poll shows U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller has a higher approval rating (51 percent) than Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (50 percent), U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (45 percent), Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (40 percent) and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (37 percent).