(AP) -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A new poll shows Southerners are fretting about job loss and the economy and don't think the federal government is doing enough to help.

The Winthrop Poll released Wednesday found four in 10 respondents say the economy is a top concern. Nearly that many are worried about losing jobs.

Winthrop University political science professor Scott Huffmon says the worries mean people may spend less, hindering an economic recovery.

The poll of 866 people in 11 states found nearly three quarters of people wanted new government programs to create jobs and nearly two thirds thought states in serious financial trouble should get federal aid.

The telephone poll conducted between Oct. 24 and Nov. 7 has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.3 percent.

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