We'll Drink to That

Americans prefer their water clean, poll shows

"An overwhelming majority" -- some 86 percent -- of Americans believe clean, safe water is a national issue worthy of government spending, a new poll concludes. The two polling firms (one from each side of the partisan divide) conducting the opinion survey asked 900 adults a variety of questions related to hypothetical federal legislation creating a clean-water trust fund. The response favored the fund, with more than eight in 10 surveyed supporting the idea and some 71 percent picking clean-water programs over road construction and aviation projects as the most deserving of a trust fund. Two-thirds said they would rather the government spend more to guarantee clean water than cut taxes, and almost 80 percent would be more likely to vote for congressional representatives who supported the legislation. Says pollster Frank Luntz of the results, "Americans are sending their lawmakers a clear message."