Voters continue to rate the economy as the most important issue regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports, but the issue of government ethics and corruption takes near equal status this month.

The latest national telephone survey shows that 82% of U.S. voters see the economy as a very important issue, down two points from early February. Just two percent (2%) see the economy as not very or not at all important.

But 81% now view government ethics and corruption as a very important issue last September, up nine points from the previous survey. Voters haven’t felt this strongly about the issue since when government ethics and corruption ranked at the top of the list in terms of importance. That was the only month in over two years when the economy didn't rank number one.

When it comes to which political party is trusted more, separate polling finds that voters side with Republicans on economic issues, but Democrats are trusted more to handle government ethics and corruption.

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National security and the war on terror come next as far as voters are concerned. Sixty-four percent (64%) say it's the most important issue, up very slightly from February.

Voter confidence in America's conduct of the War on Terror is now at its highest level since last May.

Taxes, which ranked third out of 10 issues last month, is viewed as very important by 62% of voters, a figure that has remained fairly steady over the past several months.

Sixty-two percent (62%) also view health care as a very important issue, down 13 points from late December.

The president is now trying to get his health care reform plan back on track in the Congress, even though most voters continue to oppose it. But 55% would rather see Congress scrap the original plan and start all over again. Fifty-seven percent (57%) think the plan working its way through Congress will hurt the U.S. economy.

Now tied with taxes and health care is Social Security, with 62% viewing it as a very important issue, up three points from last month.

As has been the case for several months now, voters trust Republicans more on taxes, health care and Social Security.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) view education as a very important issue, showing little change from the previous survey.

A majority of Americans (55%) feel the government does not spend enough money on public education. Sixty percent (60%) of those with children in elementary or secondary school say most school textbooks are more concerned with presenting information in a politically correct manner than in accuracy. But 45% of all Americans believe today’s parents are less involved in their children’s education, compared to parents 25 years ago.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters nationwide say immigration is a very important issue, up four points from last month. Sixty-seven percent (67%) think illegal immigrants are a significant strain on the U.S. budget.

Forty-one percent (41%) view the war in Iraq as a very important issue, up four points from the previous survey. Despite the successful elections in Iraq, most voters don't think the war in that country is over and question whether all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by the end of next year as President Obama intends.

Abortion now ranks last as an issue, with only 40% who say it is very important. Still, that's also up slightly from last month as well.

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