General Business

Lower-Income Americans Want Opportunity for All

During the 2012 election, Republicans developed a makers vs. takers theme epitomized by Mitt Romney’s infamous comments about the so-called 47%. New polling data suggests one of the reasons the line backfired is that lower-income voters are primarily interested in opportunities.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of lower-income voters think it’s Very Important for our economic system to provide everybody with an opportunity to succeed. For this analysis, “lower-income” is defined as less than $30,000 a year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 6-7, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

48% Are Confident In U.S. Banking System, 45% Are Not

Though their confidence in the banking system remains mixed, fewer adults are now concerned about losing their money due to a banking failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the banking system, while nearly as many (45%) lack that confidence. This includes 11% who are Very Confident in the banking system and 12% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

51% Fear Government Won’t Help Economy; 64% Want Spending Cuts

More voters than ever are worried the government is not doing enough to help the struggling economy, but they continue to believe spending cuts are the best course of action. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters say what worries them more is that the federal government will not do enough in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems. Thirty-seven percent (37%) take the opposite view and are more worried the government will do too much in response to the bad economy. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 8-9, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

60% Believe Letting Entrepreneurs Get Rich is Good for Economy

Americans overwhelmingly believe that it’s not only fair for entrepreneurs to get rich, it’s good for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 86% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is fair for those who build very successful companies to get very rich. Only 10% see it as unfair. Those figures include 56% who see such rewards as Very Fair and two percent (2%) who say they’re Not at All Fair. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 6-7, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

67% Say Private Sector Employees Work Harder Than Government Workers

Americans continue to believe those in the private sector work harder for less money and have less job security than government workers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 67% say employees in the private sector work harder than government workers do.  Only seven percent (7%) think the opposite is true, but 25% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

49% Consider U.S. Economy Unfair

Voters are almost evenly divided when it comes to the fairness of the U.S. economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the U.S. economy today is at least somewhat fair, while 49% consider it unfair. This includes only six percent (6%) who feel it is Very Fair and 15% who say it is Not At All Fair. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 6-7, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Just 15% Think Today’s Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents

Optimism about the future of today’s children continues to hover around all-time lows. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 15% of American Adults believe today’s children will be better off than their parents, but 61% disagree. Twenty-four percent (24%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New Low: 39% Expect Stronger Economy Five Years From Now

Fewer Americans than ever expect the U.S. economy to be stronger in five years, while the number who think it will be stronger 12 months from now is little changed from findings over the past three years. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 39% of American Adults think the economy will be stronger in five years. That's down from 44% in December and the first time this finding has fallen below the 40% mark in four years of regular surveying. In February of last year, 47% predicted that the economy would be stronger in five years' time. In January 2009, 62% felt that way.

Thirty-one percent (31%) now expect the economy to be weaker in five years, compared to 21% in February 2012. Twelve percent (12%) think the economy will remain about the same, while 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

52% Believe Most Get Rich By Working Hard

Some believe that most people get rich by inheriting money or by getting lucky. Others think the path to riches is hard work.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just over half (52%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe hard work is the path most follow to riches. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think most get rich by inheriting money, and nine percent (9%) see luck as the key factor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 17-18, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

54% Think State, Local Governments Should Have Property Insurance

Most Americans believe local and state governments should obtain insurance to financially protect their public properties and feel this would help lower disaster relief costs to taxpayers which run into the billions of dollars.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults believe that, regardless of current policy, state and local governments should buy property insurance to financially protect buildings, parks and other assets.  Sixteen percent (16%) disagree, but 30% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

53% Say Economic Growth More Important Than Economic Fairness

Most voters see economic growth as more important than economic fairness but recognize that there is a conflict between the two.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters think economic growth is more important than economic fairness. Thirty-five percent (35%) think economic fairness is more important. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. This remains generally unchanged from December but is down from a high of 62% who rated economic growth more important in July. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 17-18, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

26% Owe More Money Than Last Year

One-in-four American Adults (26%) now owe more money than they did a year ago, and few predict interest rates will go down in the near future.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% owe less, while 39% owe about the same amount they did last year. This remains generally unchanged from previous surveys. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The Rasmussen Challenge is coming back next week. Stay Tuned!

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 8-9, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Voters Think U.S. Economy Fair to Women, Blacks, Hispanics

While voters have mixed views on the overall fairness of the U.S. economy, most believe it is fair to women, blacks and Hispanic Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of Likely Voters say the U.S. economy is at least somewhat fair to women, although that includes just 15% think it’s Very Fair.  Thirty-one percent (31%) say the economy is not fair to women, with six percent (6%) who say it’s Not At All Fair.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The Rasmussen Challenge is coming back next week. Stay Tuned!

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

68% Say Cutting Government Spending Solution To Economic Problems

Just under half of U.S. voters fear the federal government will not do enough to help the nation’s troubled economy, but those voters do not think more spending is the solution. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely Voters say, in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems, what worries them more is that the federal government will not do enough.  That finding is just below a high of 50% measured last month.  Thirty-nine percent (39%) are afraid the government will do too much, while 13% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The Rasmussen Challenge is coming back next week.  Stay Tuned!

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 9-10, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

72% Expect to Pay More for Groceries A Year From Now

Americans continue to see their grocery bills go up and don’t expect that to change over the next year. Most also lack confidence that the Federal Reserve Board can keep inflation under control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago, and 72% expect that to go up even more over the next year. Only three percent (3%) think they will pay less in a year’s time. Twenty-one percent (21%) expect to be spending about the same amount. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 8-9, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

52% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the banking industry has rebounded slightly and is back to levels seen last fall. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults are now at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, including nine percent (9%) who are Very Confident. Forty-five percent (45%) still lack that confidence, with eight percent (8%) who are Not At All Confident.

Public Evenly Divided on Fiscal Cliff Deal

Voters are evenly divided in their views of the last-minute “fiscal cliff” deal reached by President Obama and Congress, but very few expect government spending to go down as a result. One-out-of-two predict taxes on the middle class will go up though.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of the deal, while 46% also disapprove. But the nays feel more strongly: These findings include just eight percent (8%) who Strongly Approve of the deal versus 25% who Strongly Disapprove. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

U.S. Economic Expectations Remain Stable

Despite uncertainty surrounding the "fiscal cliff" negotiations in Washington, expectations about the short- and long-term economy remain relatively unchanged from recent months.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of American Adults believe the economy will be stronger a year from now. Slightly more (39%) think the economy will be weaker in a year’s time, while 19% say it will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 26-27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

No ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal? 44% Blame GOP, 36% Obama

Most voters still want President Obama and Congress to avoid the “fiscal cliff” of big tax hikes and automatic across-the-board spending cuts scheduled to kick in next Tuesday, but fewer than ever think a deal is likely. Voters tend to blame congressional Republicans more than the president for the impasse.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress and the president should stop the tax increase and spending cuts totaling more than $500 billion from going into effect on January 1. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% disagree, while 20% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

38% Favor More Regulation of U.S. Financial System

Support for more regulation of the U.S. financial system is at an all-time high, but a plurality of voters still thinks more competition is best for the markets.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 49% believe more competition and less regulation is better for the financial system than more regulation and less competition. But 38% now take the opposite view and think more regulation and less competition is the way to go. Another 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.  

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 20-21, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.