Eighty-three percent (83%) of voters nationwide rate the U.S. Constitution as good or excellent, and there is little public support for changing the document.

However, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 44% believe the Constitution doesn't place enough restrictions on the government. Only 10% hold the opposite view and say the nation’s governing charter places too many restrictions on government. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say the balance is about right.

Those figures reflect a modest shift from a year ago. The number who believe that there are not enough restrictions on government is up five points while the number who see too many restrictions is down four points.

As on many issues, there is a huge gap between the Political Class and the rest of the nation. Most who share Political Class views believe the current constitutional balance is about right. But 50% of those with populist or Mainstream views believe that there aren’t enough restrictions on government.

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Overall, by a 59% to 23% margin, voters say there is more danger today from a government that is too powerful rather than a government that is not powerful. Those with Mainstream views overwhelmingly see a bigger threat from a too-powerful government. Among the Political Class, a plurality holds the opposite view.

Most Americans are also concerned that the government today will do too much to “help” the economy.

Despite the desire for more restrictions on government, 93% of Americans say they would vote for the Constitution if it was on the ballot today.

Sixty-six percent (66%) say that no changes are needed in the document while 27% see a need for minor changes. Four percent (4%) believe major changes are required, and one percent (1%) want to scrap the document and start over again.

Americans overwhelmingly believe that the U.S. legal system should treat all Americans equally and that judges of different genders and ethnic backgrounds would reach the same decisions if they studied the facts and tried to apply the law as written.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) now believe that the legal system is too worried about individual rights over national security. Just 24% hold the opposite concern.

There is little public support for the recent bailout of General Motors, an issue that may follow the Chrysler bailout to the Supreme Court.

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