Business

34% Expect Lower Unemployment in a Year

One-in-three adults now expects unemployment to be lower a year from today, the highest level of optimism in nearly two years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults expect lower unemployment rates in a year, up from 30% in December and the highest finding since January 2011.  Thirty percent (30%) think unemployment will be higher in a year, down from December’s all-time high of 43%. Just as many (31%) think the unemployment level will remain about the same, up eight points from the prior survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American 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.

43% View Sales Tax As Fairest Kind of Tax

Americans tend to consider a sales tax the fairest kind of tax and are least happy with income and property taxes.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults, when given four chief types of taxation, view a sales tax as the one that is most fair. Twenty-six percent (26%) rate an income tax as fairest, while six percent (6%) feel that way about property taxes and 5% consider a payroll tax the most fair. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Play this week’s Rasmussen Challenge! Answers due by 11:59pm ET on Feb. 6.

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

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.

49% Think They Personally Pay More Than Their Fair Share in Taxes

Half of Americans still think they pay more than they should in taxes and question the fairness of the current tax system.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults believe that, compared to people who make more or less than they do, they pay more than their fair share of taxes. Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree and don’t think they pay more than their fair share. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Play this week’s Rasmussen Challenge! Answers due by 11:59pm ET on Feb. 6.

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

49% Say Wealthy Americans Pay Less Than Fair Share in Taxes

Americans are less likely to think wealthy taxpayers aren’t paying their fair share, but most still believe the middle class pays a larger share of its income in taxes than the wealthy do.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 24% of U.S. Adults believe wealthy Americans pay their fair share in taxes. Twenty-one percent (21%) think wealthy Americans pay more than their fair share in taxes, while half (49%) feel they pay less than their fair share. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

53% Expect Housing Market to Take More Than Three Years to Recover

Most Americans (53%) still expect housing prices to take more than three years to fully recover from the 2008 downturn. That's consistent with findings since last June.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults think it will take three years or less for housing prices to recover, with four percent (4%) who see full recovery within a year. That's in line with attitudes in December but slightly more optimistic than Americans had been for several months prior to that.  Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

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.)

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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.

48% Think Federal Budget Can Be Balanced Without Tax Hikes

Nearly half (48%) of Americans still believe it is possible to balance the federal budget without raising taxes.

45% Favor Replacing Income Tax with National Sales Tax

Voters still like the idea of replacing the federal income tax with a national sales tax, even though they aren’t so sure it's a better way to raise money for the government.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults favor a proposal to eliminate the federal income tax and replace it with a national sales tax. Thirty-four percent (34%) are opposed, while 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 22-23, 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 18% Back Government Assistance For Struggling Homeowners

Support for government assistance for Americans who can’t afford their increased mortgage payments ties its all-time low. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 18% of American Adults believe the government should assist those who cannot afford their increased mortgage payments. Most (67%) think those struggling homeowners should sell their homes and find less expensive ones. 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 January 20-21, 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.

Americans Oppose A National Sales Tax – Unless Social Security’s At Stake

Americans continue to oppose the creation of a national sales tax to raise more money for the government – unless it’s used to keep Social Security benefits the way they are now.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of Adults favor a national sales tax on all goods and services. Sixty-two percent (62%) oppose the creation of such a tax. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

45% Say Bailouts of Financial Industry Bad for U.S.

A plurality of voters continues to believe the financial bailouts were a bad move, and they prefer an economic system with more competition and less regulation moving forward.

29% Expect Home's Value To Go Up Over Next Year

Homeowners remain more confident about both the short- and long-term housing market than they have been in several years. Most still believe their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage, and fewer homeowners than ever expect to miss or be late with a mortgage payment in the next six months

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of homeowners think the value of their home will go up over the next year. That's down slightly from a high of 31% in December but is the second highest level of confidence in the short-term housing market since April 2010. Only 15% expect their home's value to go down over the next 12 months, down four points from last month and the lowest level of pessimism in nearly four years of regular surveying. Most (52%) think their home’s value will remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 713 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on January 20-21, 2013 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.

31% Favor Eliminating A State’s Income Tax In Exchange for Higher Sales Taxes

Voters are evenly divided over whether their state taxes are too high or about right, and they aren’t enthusiastic about proposals by several governors to eliminate state income taxes in exchange for higher sales taxes.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s a good idea to swap income taxes for sales taxes. But 41% disagree and don’t think it’s a good idea to eliminate a state’s income tax in exchange for a higher sales tax. Twenty-eight percent (28%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge . This week’s answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.

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This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 21-22, 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.)

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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).

Win an iPad:  Take the Rasmussen Challenge.  A new question will be available tomorrow, January 22. 

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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.)

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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.

30% Think More Tax Hikes Needed

With the ink barely dry on the “fiscal cliff” deal that increased taxes for most Americans, President Obama on Monday raised the specter of additional tax hikes.  Just 30% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the president that more tax increases are needed.

Now that taxes have been raised on upper-income Americans, however, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% believe additional tax hikes are not necessary. Nineteen more (19%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 11-12, 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.

55% Want Obama, Congress To Stop March 1 Spending Cuts

Here they come again. President Obama and Congress in their year-end “fiscal cliff” deal merely put off until March 1 sizable across-the-board spending cuts that include the defense budget and Medicare. Most voters still think they should stop those automatic cuts. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters believe Congress and the president should allow these cuts to go into effect. Twice as many (55%) disagree and think they should stop those cuts from happening. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 11-12, 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!

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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.