Voters Divided on Whether Tax Policy Should Support Growth or Fairness
Voters continue to believe that tax cuts are good for the economy and tax hikes are bad, but for many that’s not the most important aspect of tax policy.
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July 8, 2008
July 1, 2008
As Bill Gates Steps Down as Microsoft Chairman, 68% View Him Favorably
Just days after Microsoft creator Bill Gates spent his final day at the corporation he co-founded, a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 68% of adults have a favorable opinion of the multi-billionaire. Just 17% of adults have an unfavorable opinion of Gates.
July 1, 2008
Voters Want Right to Approve All Tax Increases
Most Americans do not believe the U.S. government needs more tax revenue and well over half say all tax increases should be subject to voter approval. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 52% of voters say the federal government does not need additional tax revenue for important national programs such as highway repairs and health care reform.
July 1, 2008
48% Say Lower Gas Prices Key to Economic Recovery
Voters overwhelmingly believe that lowering gas prices is the best way to get the U.S. economy going again, even as Congress and the presidential candidates argue for tax cuts or passage of a second government stimulus plan.
July 1, 2008
Rasmussen Employment Index Shows Worker Confidence Down Again to Another Record Low
Workers’ confidence in the labor markets tumbled sharply in June according to the latest update of the Rasmussen Employment Index. For the first time in the five-year history of the Index, the number of employees whose employer is laying people off exceeds the number whose firms are hiring.
June 30, 2008
Small Business Economic Confidence Drops to New Low
After a brief rebound in May, economic confidence among small business owners dropped to a record low in June as the number of those who think the U.S. economy is getting worse expanded to nearly 80 percent. The Discover(R) Small Business Watch(SM) plummeted in June to 71.8, down 10 points from 81.8 in May.
June 26, 2008
35% See Gas Reaching $6 a Gallon, Most Say $5 Gas Likely
Sixty percent (60%) of American voters say it’s at least somewhat likely that gas prices will reach $5 a gallon this year. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 35% are even more pessimistic and believe $6 a gallon gas may come in 2008.
June 24, 2008
79% Say Buying Home Still a Good Investment
Despite the weakness in the housing markets and the overall economic malaise, only 9% of American homeowners say their houses are worth less today than when they were purchased. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 80% of the nation’s homeowners say their homes have increased in value since they were purchased.
June 17, 2008
COUNTRY Index: Americans' Financial Security Sentiments Rebound
In a counterpoint to the current economic environment, the COUNTRY Financial Security Index(SM) jumped 1.5 points to 69.3 in June.
June 17, 2008
67% Support Offshore Drilling, 64% Expect it Will Lower Prices
Most voters favor the resumption of offshore drilling in the United States and expect it to lower prices at the pump, even as John McCain has announced his support for states that want to explore for oil and gas off their coasts.
June 16, 2008
Just 47% Oppose Nationalizing Oil Industry
A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 29% of voters favor nationalizing the oil industry. Just 47% are opposed and 24% are not sure.
June 4, 2008
Discover(R) U.S. Spending Monitor(SM) Rises 1.4 Points in May
The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor rose 1.4 points in May to 86.8 as consumers braced for higher spending in the wake of record gas and food prices. The Monitor posted record high percentages of consumers who said they spent more in May than April (56 percent) and who expect to spend more next month (46 percent), both up by six points respectively.
June 3, 2008
Rasmussen Employment Index Shows Increased Confidence in Labor Markets During May
For the first time since October, confidence in the labor markets increased during May. The Rasmussen Employment Index (formerly the Hudson Index) gained nearly two points in May to 84.6.
May 27, 2008
Most Say Stimulus Had No Impact & Best Economic Policy is Getting Government Out of the Way
Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters nationwide say that the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year has had no impact on the economy. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 57% believe that if Congress and the President do nothing more, the economy will be in even worse shape a year from now.
May 20, 2008
Americans' College Choices Limited Despite Early Saving
As another class of college students graduates with enormous student loan debt, parents are also feeling the pinch.
May 13, 2008
60% Say Tax Hikes Hurt Economy
One constant in American political life is that the American people believe tax hikes are bad for the economy. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that 60% of voters hold that view while just 14% believe that raising taxes is good for the economy.
May 7, 2008
Voters Split on Gas Tax Holiday, but Concerned About Tax Hikes
Forty-six percent (46%) of America’s Likely Voters favor a federal gas tax holiday this summer. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 42% are opposed and 12% are not sure.
May 7, 2008
Discover (R) U.S. Spending Monitor (SM) Shows Little Movement in April
The April Discover U.S. Spending Monitor reflected a continuing pattern of economic concern from consumers in the face of rising expenses. For the last four months including April, the Monitor has remained in the 85-86 range.
April 29, 2008
Workplace Confidence Tumbles to Another New Low
For the sixth time in the last seven months, confidence in the labor markets tumbled during April. The Rasmussen Employment Index (formerly the Hudson Index) fell nearly a point in April to 83.1. That’s down twenty-four points from a month ago and once again establishes a new all-time low for the five year history of the Index.
April 28, 2008
Small Business Economic Confidence Continues to Slide
Small business economic confidence continues to slide, marked by another drop in the number of owners who say that economic conditions for their business are getting better.
