62% of Americans say they would break the law to get a good job
-- A large number of Americans say they would illegally pay off their Governor to get ahead--
Flemington, NJ, December 16, 2008 – A new national study among 808 Americans revealed that the majority (62%) would break the law and illegally pay off
their state’s governor to get a job that pays over $100,000 a year if they we guaranteed that they wouldn’t get caught.
In this study respondents, were presented with a series of questions regarding how they would respond to certain
situations. All of the hypothetical statements presented were based upon a situation where they would have an
opportunity to pay their respective state’s governor to improve government related services or to obtain a personal
objective in spite of laws against such activities.
Respondents were asked to answer the questions based upon the assumptions indicated above. Respondents we asked to be
completely honest in their responses and keep in mind that these situations are completely hypothetical.
More than half (58%) of Americans said they would also pay off their governor, despite the laws against it, to fix a
reckless driving offense, to be guaranteed coverage by the same medical insurers (at the same price) as the Governor and
the state legislators, and also to obtain a state ruling which would guarantee to turn their failing business into a
very profitable one.
The study was conducted by HCD Research on December 15 to obtain Americans’ willingness to illegally pay off the
government to receive personal favors and to get ahead.. To view detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.
Among the Findings:
Respondents indicated their willingness to make an illegal payoff to a state governor based on the following assumption:
“Assume for the purposes of this study that you are in a situation in which you are given a guarantee of not getting
caught and there will be no repercussions for your actions.”
Please indicate the largest sum you would be willing to pay (one time) to your respective state’s Governor to do the
following: / % that would pay / % that would not pay
Fix a reckless driving offense (a serious moving violation, a DUI/DWI offense, etc.) / 58% / 42%
Guarantee that your trash is picked up weekly / 37% / 63%
Guarantee that the potholes are fixed in your neighborhood / 44% / 56%
Obtain a letter of recommendation for your child that would guarantee their admittance into the four-year state college
or a Military Academy / 48% / 52%
Guarantee that your local children’s hospital receives the state funds that it is due / 49% / 51%
Obtain a job with the state that would pay you over $100,000 a year / 62% / 38%
Be guaranteed coverage by the same medical insurers (at the same price) as the Governor and the state legislators / 58% / 42%
Obtain a state ruling which would guarantee to turn your failing business
into a very profitable one / 58% / 42%
Agree to an all access relationship that would warrant him/her to fix any problems that might arise with you,
personally, or within your community / 53% / 47%
The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular
and controversial media events and advertisements.
HCD Research is a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include
traditional and web-based communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web
site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, MCIPO is a
respected source of public opinion data on local, state and national issues. For additional information on Muhlenberg
College, go to www.muhlenberg.edu
ENDS