General Business

34% Have Favorable Opinion of the Fed

Most voters don’t like the Federal Reserve, the nation’s central banking system, which at least one presidential candidate would like to abolish.

54% Still See Bailouts As Bad for the Country

Voters are closely divided over the role they want the federal government to play in the current economy, but they remain positive that bailouts are one way they don’t want to go.

59% Lack Confidence In Fed To Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down

While few Americans report paying higher interest rates than they did a year ago, they still lack confidence in the Federal Reserve Board to keep interest rates down and inflation under control.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 33% are at least somewhat confident that the Fed will be able to keep inflation under control and interest rates down, including just seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident.

51% Say U.S. Economy Can Still Recover Despite Europe’s Troubles

The United States is putting pressure on Europe to deal with its debt crisis as quickly as possible to avoid a global economic meltdown. Though most Americans expect at least one of the European countries to default on its debt in the next few years, half believe it’s still possible for the U.S. economy to recover even if Europe’s remains in trouble.

New Low: 35% Confident in U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the stability of the nation’s banking industry has fallen to a new low. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 35% are even somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry.

Most Still Think Government Workers Better Off Than Those in Private Sector

Most Americans nationwide continue to believe that government workers get more pay and better job security but don’t work as hard as their counterparts in the private sector.

26% Have Favorable Opinion of Bernanke, 51% Unfavorable

Half of Americans nationwide believe the Federal Reserve Board chairman has too much power over the economy. Meanwhile, favorability ratings for current Chairman Ben Bernanke are at their lowest level yet recorded.

Only 29% Think U.S. Has World's Best Economy

Perhaps these views are driven in part by the increased skepticism that Americans have about President Obama's economic advisers. Just 31% are at least somewhat confident in those who advise the president on economic policy, with only 14% who are Very Confident. Sixty-three percent (63%) lack confidence in the president’s economic advisers, including 44% who are Not At All Confident in them.

The number of adults confident in Obama’s economic advisers has fallen from 41% in September 2010. Fifty-seven percent (57%) put little or not faith in those advisers at that time.

New Low: 23% Say They Owe More Money Than A Year Ago

While the economy continues to stumble along, fewer Americans than ever report they owe more money than they did a year ago.

83% Are Worried About Inflation

Most Americans remain concerned about inflation and lack confidence in the Federal Reserve Board to keep it under control.

47% Confident in U.S. Banking System

Confidence in America’s banking system has rebounded slightly from last month’s record low, but less than half of adults nationwide remain assured in the stability of the industry.

Partisan Economics: Democrats Less Pessimistic About Economy Than Republicans

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans nationwide say the U.S. economy is in poor shape and 68% of those not affiliated with either major party agree. However, data from the Rasmussen Consumer Index shows that Democrats aren’t quite as pessimistic. Just 49% of those in President Obama’s party is in poor shape.

18% Say Today’s Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents

Most Americans continue to believe today’s children will not be better off than their parents, but they are a bit more optimistic about the possibility of someone working their way out of poverty.

New High: 52% Predict Economy Will Be Weaker A Year From Now

Americans are more pessimistic than ever that the U.S. economy will improve during the next year.

New High: 62% Expect To Pay Higher Interest Rates Next Year

More Americans than ever predict they will be paying higher interest rates a year from now, despite the fact that most say they’re paying about the same in interest as they were last year.

58% Want to End Small Business Administration Loan Guarantees

Small businesses are seen by many as the heart of the U.S. economy, and most voters think the best way the government can help them is by staying out of the way.

71% Think Private Sector Better Than Government At Measuring Technology Potential

Voters show very little confidence in the federal government when it comes to picking winners in the technology industry.

New High: 93% Say They're Paying More for Groceries Than A Year Ago

Americans nationwide continue to lose faith in the Federal Reserve Board to keep inflation under control, with the number who say they are paying more for groceries now at an all-time high.

34% Say London Rioting Could Force Move of 2012 Olympics

Americans aren’t impressed with the way the British government has responded to the riots in London, but most don’t think the violent incidents put the city’s hosting of next year’s Summer Olympics at risk.

48% Think Spending Cuts Could Trigger Violence

Nearly one-out-of-two Americans (48%) think that cuts in government spending are at least somewhat likely to lead to violence in the United States, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes just 13% who feel it’s Very Likely.