Poll: Big Majority Favors More Gov’t in Markets

by Walter Alarkon - 12/23/08 11:23 AM ET

Most Americans believe there’s too little government regulation of markets and financial institutions, according to a new CNN poll.

When adults were asked this week whether they thought there was too much, too little or about the right amount of regulation, 59 percent said there was too little. Just 22 percent said there was too much and 18 percent said there was the right amount.

When asked about investor Bernie Madoff, who faces charges that he bilked clients out of $50 billion, about three quarters of U.S. adults believed his behavior was common. Just 23 percent said his case was an isolated one.