Most business leaders opposed to US bailouts

More than 3 out of 4 business and financial leaders believe the government should not rescue large American manufacturing firms threatened by bankruptcy, according to a Louis Harris survey commissioned by Marsh & McLennan Inc., insurance brokers. Despite recognition by business community leaders that a major bankruptcy could mean a loss of jobs and substantial economic disruption, top corporate executives by a margin of 78 to 11 percent feel that government should generally not intervene to save a failing business. Financial leaders -- investors and lenders -- agree with this line of think ing by a margin of 85 to 8 percent.