General Business

51% Think Government Spends Too Much on Poverty Programs

State and federal welfare spending passed the $1 trillion mark last year, more than is spent on Social Security and Medicare. Most Americans believe the government spends too much on poverty programs and that those programs increase the level of poverty in the country rather than decrease it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults think the government spends too much on poverty programs. That’s up 13 points from 38% in April 2011. Just 21% feel it doesn’t spend enough, while 20% say the amount spent is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 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.

53% Are Confident in Stability of Banking System

Americans’ confidence in the stability of the U.S. banking system is at its highest level in over three years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 53% are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, while 42% lack that confidence. Still, these findings include just eight percent (8%) who are Very Confident in the system and 11% 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 October 6-7, 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.

58% Think Government Workers Make More Than Those in Private Sector

Most Americans continue to believe that government employees don't work as hard as those in the private sector but earn more money and have more job security anyway. Sixty-four percent (64%) of American Adults say workers in the private sector work harder than government employees, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 11% think government workers work harder, while 25% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 2-3, 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.

48% Know Someone Who’s Quit Looking for Work in Bad Job Market

Confidence in the U.S. job market remains near record lows for the year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 21% of American Adults think the job market is better than it was a year ago. That’s down three points from early August and the lowest finding since February. Forty-one percent (41%) think the job market is worse than it was this time last year, down slightly from the previous survey but only the second time this year that pessimism has climbed into the 40s.

Thirty-six percent (36%) say the employment picture is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 2-3, 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.

49% Think America Weaker Today Than It Was Four Years Ago

Most voters don't rate the United State stronger today than it was four years ago when it comes to race relations, opportunities for women and young people and America’s relationships overseas.

Forty-nine percent (49%) of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think America as a nation is weaker now than it was in late 2008. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% believe the country is stronger today, while 18% consider it about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 27-28, 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.

23% Believe Today's Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents

The good news is that the number of Americans who believe today’s children will be better off than their parents is at its highest level of 2012. The bad news is that three-out-of-four Americans don't agree or aren't sure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 23% believe today’s children will be better off than their parents. Fifty-nine percent (59%) disagree, and 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)    

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 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.

44% Think Fed Chairman Influenced by President

Belief among Americans that the Federal Reserve Board chairman has too much economic clout has softened a bit from previous years, but a plurality continues to feel the chairman of the independent agency is influenced in his decision making by the president.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 41% believe the chairman of the Federal Reserve has too much power over the economy. Six percent (6%) say the chairman does not have enough power, while 38% say the level is about right. Another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

50% Predict More Than Three Years for Housing Market to Fully Recover

Most Americans still don't see a full recovery of the housing and stock markets in the next three years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults think it will take more than three years for housing prices to fully recover from the downturn that began in 2008. That's down slightly from 52% in August  and 57% in June, the most negative assessment of the housing market since regular tracking began in January 2009.

Just five percent (5%) think full recovery is likely to occur within the next year. Fifteen percent (15%) say recovery is three years away, while 10% say it's two years away.  Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 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.

31% Think Government Should Help Troubled Mortgage Holders

More Americans than ever think that if someone can’t afford their mortgage payments, the government should help them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults still think that if someone can't afford to make their increased mortgage payments, it's better for them to sell their home and buy a less expensive one. But now 31% say the better option is for the government to assist them in making their mortgage payments. That's up from 22% in July. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 16-17, 2012 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.

Americans Like Free Trade But Like Protective Tariffs Better

A sizable number of Americans still see free trade as a good thing for the country, but they’re evenly divided over whether it’s a job killer or a job creator. That helps explain why most favor protective tariffs on countries that pay their workers less than we do.

55% Think Government Doesn’t Protect U.S. Industries Enough from Overseas Competitors

Most Americans blame the country’s bad economy on government policies at home rather than on overseas competitors, but they’d like to see the U.S. government protect domestic companies more. The latest Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 59% of American Adults think the economic policies of the U.S. government are a bigger factor in creating the current problems with the economy than unfair business practices by countries like China and the ongoing economic problems in Europe. Only 12% blame unfair business practices by overseas competitors more, while just as many (11%) see the debt crisis and other problems in Europe as chiefly at fault. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 24-25, 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.

36% Think U.S. Has Best Economy in the World

Americans are slightly more optimistic about the nation’s economic standing globally and are a lot more confident about those who advise President Obama on the economy.

Still, just 36% of American Adults think the United States has the best economy in the world, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-seven percent (47%) believe the U.S. economy is not the world’s best. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

Only 41% Expect U.S. Economy To Be Stronger In Five Years

For just the second time in three years, the number of Americans who predict a stronger economy a year from now is slightly higher than those who expect a weaker one. But the number who feel the economy will be stronger in the longer term remains near its all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults expect a stronger U.S. economy in a year's time, while nearly as many (34%) expect the economy to be weaker. Thirteen percent (13%) say the economy will be about the same a year from now. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 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.

29% Think Poverty Very Severe in America Today

An overwhelming majority of Americans think poverty is a major problem in the United States today, and just one-in-four think the current government-set poverty line is right.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults believe poverty is at least somewhat severe in the United States, although that includes only 29% who say it is Very Severe. Just 16% think poverty is not severe in the nation, with four percent (4%) who believe it is Not At All Severe. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 18-19, 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.

47% Say Their Home is Worth More Than What They Owe

Fewer than half of the nation’s homeowners continue to report that their home is worth more than what they still owe on the mortgage. Overall attitudes about the housing market remain relatively pessimistic.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Homeowners shows that 47% report their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say their home is not worth more than what they still owe, while 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 749 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on September 16-17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Fear Government Will Do Too Much to Help Economy, 44% Say Not Enough

Voters nationwide remain evenly divided in their concerns about the government’s reaction to economic problems, but most still agree the best solution is to cut government spending.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 44% are more worried that the federal government will try to do too much in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems. But just as many (44%) fear the government will not do enough in response to those problems. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 15-16, 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.

47% Expect Higher Interest Rates One Year From Now

The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced it is extending its plan to keep interest rates low until 2015, but nearly half of Americans expect higher interest rates a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe they will be paying higher interest rates one year from today. Just six percent (6%) expect lower interest rates in a year's time, while 34% believe they will be about the same. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 8-9, 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.

58% Lack Confidence in Fed To Keep Inflation Under Control, Interest Rates Down

Confidence in the Federal Reserve Board’s ability to keep inflation under control remains at the lowest level of 2012 as Americans overwhelmingly continue to report they are paying more for groceries compared to last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep inflation under control and interest rates down, but just 11% are Very Confident.  Fifty-eight percent (58%) lack confidence in the Fed, with 15% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 8-9, 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.

50% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults are now at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that still includes just 11% who are Very Confident. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% don't share that confidence, with 14% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 8-9, 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.

Just 16% See A Better Future for Today's Children

Americans remain highly pessimistic about what lies ahead for the nation's children. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 16% of Adults believe that today’s children will be better off than their parents. That's up slightly from July’s all-time low of 14% and back to the levels found in May and June. Prior to that time in regular surveys since the beginning of 2009, that finding generally had been in the low to mid-20s.

Sixty-four percent (64%) now say today’s children will not be better off. That compares to 47% who felt that way in January 2009. Nineteen percent (19%) more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on August 21-22, 2012 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.