Americans overwhelmingly believe companies should avoid large pay gaps between CEOs and employees. However, a small minority feel businesses are effectively addressing these disparities. Most Americans also emphasize the importance of ethical profit-making, yet few believe companies achieve this standard. CEO compensation at top U.S. firms has significantly outpaced average employee wages, largely due to executive pay being tied to stock performance. Despite these concerns, Americans trust businesses more than the federal government regarding impactful decision-making. The perceived effectiveness of the federal government in positively influencing lives has declined. A substantial disconnect exists between the federal government's potential and its actual effectiveness. Americans expect ethical business practices, even while favoring businesses over government in decision-making. This indicates a desire for businesses to align with public values despite their perceived competence advantage.