General Lifestyle

Memorial Day Weekend

The calendar may say that summer comes in June, but 65% of Americans say that Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season.

Happy Mother's Day

On Mother's Day 2006, 67% of American adults believe that "being a Mother [is] the most important role for a woman to fill in today’s world." Just 19% disagree.

Most Better Off Today Than 4 Years Ago

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans say they are better off today than they were four years ago. A Rasmussen Reports national opinion poll of 5,000 adults found that 36% disagree and say they are not better off.

Valentine's Day

Forty-nine percent (49%) of Americans look forward to this day, 19% dread it, and 32% have neither reaction.

Most voters pray daily

Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters say that they pray every day or nearly every day. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 Likely Voters found that another 15% pray several times a week.

Just one-out-of-eight voters (12%) say they rarely or never pray.

59% Expect Good Year in 2005

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Americans expect 2005 to be a good year. This includes 17% who expect an excellent year and 8% who think it will be one of the best ever. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 24% believe 2005 will be just a "fair" year while 15% expect it to be poor.

9% Shopping on Christmas Eve

On the day before Christmas, 90% of Americans now say their holiday shopping is finished or almost finished for 2004. That's up from 74% earlier in the week and 54% just two weeks ago. At Thanksgiving, just 24% were that far along.

74% Say Holiday Shopping Nearly Finished

With four days to go until Christmas, 74% of Americans now say their holiday shopping is finished or almost finished for 2004. That's up from 54% just over a week ago. At Thanksgiving, just 24% were that far along.

54% Say Holiday Shopping Nearly Finished

With more than a week-and-a-half to go until Christmas, 54% of Americans say their holiday shopping is finished or almost finished for 2004. At Thanksgiving, just 24% were that far along.

85% Have a lot to Be Thankful For in 2004

As Thanksgiving approaches, 85% of Americans say they have a lot to be thankful for in 2004. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 10% say they do not.

62% Say US Society Fair and Decent

Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters say that American society is generally fair and decent. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,500 Likely Voters found that 26% disagree and believe that American society is basically unfair and discriminatory.

37% Say US Changed for Better Since 9/11

On the third anniversary of the terrorist attacks that claimed over 3,000 innocent lives, 80% of Americans agree that the attacks changed America forever. However, they are divided as to whether those changes have been for better or worse.

14% Attend Labor Day Celebrations

Just 14% of Americans watched a parade or participated in some other event to formally celebrate Labor Day 2004.

Public Schools Best or Worst?

As summer vacation winds down, a plurality of Americans (42%) continues to believe that public schools provide the best education for children.

Movies and Politics

Two surprising movies this year have drawn entirely different audiences to the theatre.

Fahrenheit 9-11, Michael Moore's entry into the election debate, has an audience that is 47% liberal, 26% moderate, and 25% conservative. The audience for Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ is 51% conservative, 27% moderate, and 21% liberal.

70% Will Watch Fireworks

Over the Fourth of July weekend, 70% of Americans say they will watch fireworks, 54% will sing Patriotic songs, and 29% will watch or March in a parade.

62% Say World Better If More Like USA

More than six-out-of-ten American voters believe the USA is a good role model for the rest of the world.
A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 64% of voters believe that American society is generally fair and decent.

Disney Viewed Favorably by 44%

Forty-four percent (44%) of American Investors have a favorable opinion of the Walt Disney Company while 29% have an unfavorable view.

60%: U.S. Fair and Decent, 27% Disagree

Sixty percent (60%) of American voters believe that American society is generally fair and decent. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 27% take the opposite view and believe our nation is unfair and discriminatory.

38% Say US Changed for Better Since 9/11

On the second anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack, 38% of Americans say that the United States has changed for the better since that horrible day. Forty-seven percent (47%) say America has changed for the worse.