Mixed views of Wall Street. (Opinion Pulse).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Far more Americans believe Wall Street benefits the country than think it harms us. Still, Americans are of two minds. Seventy-two percent say that Wall Street is absolutely essential because it provides the money business needs for investment. Sixty percent, however, believe that most Wall Streeters would break the law if they thought they could get away with it. In 1935, 22 percent of Americans said they owned securities. In broader questions today, around half say they own stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.

 
Question: The words "Wall Street" are often used to describe the 
nation's largest banks, investment banks, brokerages 
and other financial institutions. Overall, would you say ...? 
 
Wall Street benefits 
the country a lot      22% 
 
Somewhat               47% 
 
Harms somewhat         13% 
 
Harms a lot             3% 
 
Not sure/neither       15% 
 
Source: Harris Interactive, 
September 2000. 
 
Note: Table made from pie chart. 
Question: Please say if you tend to...? 
 
                                      Agree   Disagree 
 
Wall Street is absolutely 
essential because it provides 
the money businesses must              72%      21% 
have for investments 
 
Most people on Wall Street would 
be willing to break the law if they 
believed they could make a lot of      60        33 
money and get away with it 
 
Wall Street only cares 
about making money and                 57        36 
absolutely nothing else 
 
Wall ...