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51% Predict U.S. Government Will Go Bankrupt Before Budget Is Balanced

Just over half of U.S. voters are still skeptical that their elected officials will get the federal budget under control before it’s too late. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely Voters believe the federal government will go bankrupt and be unable to pay its debt before the federal budget is balanced. Thirty-six percent (36%) disagree and think it's more likely that the federal budget will be balanced first. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on May 14-15, 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 Home’s Value To Go Up Over Next Five Years

New reports show home foreclosures dipped in April, but homeowner sentiments about the future of their homes' values remain fairly steady this month. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Homeowners shows that 20% believe their home’s value will go up over the next year. Twenty-four percent (24%) expect their home’s value to go down over the next year, while a majority (55%) predicts values will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 724 Adult Homeowners was conducted on May 15-16, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Radio Update: Americans Hate Cozy Relationship Between Bankers and Government

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

71% Say Government Hasn’t Been Tough Enough On Wall Street

With JPMorgan Chase's enormous recent trading losses again raising questions about government oversight of the financial industry, more Americans than ever feel the government has not done enough to hunt down potential criminal activity on Wall Street.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 14% of American Adults now believe the federal government has been aggressive enough in pursuing possible criminal behavior by major Wall Street bankers. Seventy-one percent (71%) disagree and think the government has not been aggressive enough. That's up from 64% last May.  Another 16% 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 14, 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.

Radio Update: Most Skeptical About Fed's Ability to Control Inflation

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

New High: 40% Owe Less Money Than They Did A Year Ago

More Americans than ever now say they're less in debt than they were this time last year, but a plurality still expects higher interest rates in the near future.

Forty percent (40%) of adults now say they owe less money than they did a year ago, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That's up seven points from last month and is the highest finding since tracking on the question began in April 2009. 

Twenty-four percent (24%) still say they owe more money than a year ago, and one-in-three (32%) owe about as much as they did this time last year. These numbers are generally in line with findings for the past few years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 11-12, 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.

88% Say They're Paying More for Groceries Than A Year Ago

Americans still say overwhelmingly that they are paying more for groceries than they were year ago which helps explain why a majority continues to lack confidence in the Federal Reserve Board’s ability to keep inflation down. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 88% of American Adults report paying more for groceries compared to a year ago, a finding that has ranged from 75% to 93% since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 11-12, 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.

71% Say Government Should Let Big Troubled Banks Fail

With JPMorgan Chase Bank, one of the nation’s biggest financial institutions, under scrutiny for its recent $2 billion in trading losses, Americans feel more strongly than ever that no bank is “too big to fail.”

Seventy-one percent (71%) say the government should let troubled banks, even ones that big, go out of business rather than find a way to keep them going, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults. That’s up 15 points from 56% in July 2010.

Just 19% think that if some of the largest banks in the country reach a point where they can no longer meet their obligations, the government should find a way to keep them in business. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 14, 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.

Radio Update: JP Morgan Loses Big, Americans Want The Right People to Pay

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

36% Support More Government Regulation of Financial Industry

Wall Street banks are once again drawing national criticism, this time due to JPMorgan Chase’s $2 billion loss from high-risk trades.  Yet while Americans believe the federal government is doing a poor job keeping an eye on the banking industry, most still aren’t convinced more regulations are needed.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 14% rate federal government oversight of the banking industry as good or excellent. Fifty-three percent (53%) say the government is doing a poor job monitoring banks. (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 May 14, 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% Are Confident In Stability of Banking System

Half of Americans are now confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system, but one-in-three are still concerned they’ll lose their money due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes just 13% who are Very Confident.  Forty-seven percent (47%) lack confidence in the banking system, with 15% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 11-12, 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.

New High: 47% Say Auto Bailouts Were Good for America

A plurality of voters nationwide now believes the government bailouts of the automobile industry were good for the country, but they remain less enthusiastic about the financial industry bailouts.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of Likely Voters believe the auto industry bailouts were good for America. Forty-three percent (43%) see the government bailouts of automakers General Motors and Chrysler as bad for the country, while another 10% 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 12, 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.

Radio Update: Americans Worried About Impact of Europe's Problems on US Economy

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

84% Don't Think The United States Should Bailout Europe

While the European economy remains troubled, most Americans feel the United States should not intervene, but they do believe poor economic conditions overseas directly affects the U.S. economy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults do not think the United States should provide funding to help bailout France and other European countries. Only eight percent (8%) think the United States should provide bailout funding to Europe.  (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 nationwide was conducted on May 7-8, 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.

Radio Update: Following Jobs Report, Consumer Confidence Down but Not Out

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Long-Term Optimism About Economy Hits New Low

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

48% Think It’s Possible For Anyone Seeking Work To Find A Job

While the unemployment rate continues to hover just above 8%, roughly half of Americans still believes it’s possible for anyone with a desire to work to find a job.  But they aren’t so sure just anyone can work hard and get rich. 

Forty-eight percent (48%) of American Adults say it’s possible for anyone who wants to work to find a job, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Forty-one percent (41%) disagree, while 12% 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 May 5-6, 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.

61% Believe Europe Needs to Cut Government Spending to Save Economy

Newly elected leaders in France and Greece have signaled that austerity efforts in their countries may be coming to an end, but as far as Americans are concerned, that’s a move in the wrong direction. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults believe cuts in government spending would do more to improve the economic and financial situation in France and Greece than increases in that spending. Just 20% think more government spending is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on May 7-8, 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.

New Low: 41% See Stock Market Recovery In At Least Three Years

Americans have mixed feelings on whether a 1930s-like depression is likely to occur,  but fewer adults than ever believe it will take three years  or more for the stock market to recover.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults say the United States is at least somewhat likely to enter an economic depression similar to the one during the 1930s in the next few years.  Forty-seven percent (47%) don’t see a 1930s-like economic depression as likely in the near future.  These figures include 21% who say a depression is Very Likely and 12% who believe it’s Not At All Likely.  (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 May 5-6, 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.

Number Expecting Less Pay A Year From Now Is Down to 11%

Just 11% of American workers expect to be earning less money a year from now, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's down only slightly from 13% in March but is the lowest finding in regular tracking since May 2012.

Forty-two percent (42%) predict they'll be earning more money a year from today, down just a point from March’s all-time high and up dramatically from a low of 30% in January. Thirty-six percent (36% ) think they will be making about the same amount.  Eleven percent (11%) 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 614 Employed Adults was conducted on May 3-4, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.