Lifestyle

55% Believe There Are Too Many Americans In Prison

This week U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced a plan to scale back the number of strict minimum prison sentences for non-violent low-level drug offenders, and just over half of Americans are on board with this proposal. 

Fifty-one percent (51%) of American Adults favor a plan that would reduce the number of non-violent offenders sent to prison, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-five percent (25%) oppose such a plan, while just as many (24%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 12-13, 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.

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15% Say Professional Athletes Are Good Role Models for Kids

Some professional athletes just can’t seem to stay out of trouble, and most Americans are noticing.

Just 15% of American Adults believe professional athletes are good role models for children, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-one percent (61%) say athletes are not good role models, while another 24% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 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.

56% Think Racism Not Chief Reason for Lack of Neighborhood Diversity

Americans are closely divided on the importance of neighborhoods in this country being racially or ethnically diverse, but most believe racism is not the chief reason for a lack of diversity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat important for most neighborhoods in America to be racially or ethnically diverse. Forty-six percent (46%) say it’s not important. This includes 16% for whom neighborhood diversity is Very Important and 16% who say it’s Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 10-11, 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.

81% See Amber Alerts As Effective In Abduction Cases

Most Americans believe Amber Alerts are an effective way to respond to child abduction incidents but also feel cell phone owners should be able to opt out of receiving the alerts.

Eighty-one percent (81%) of American Adults believe that Amber Alerts are at least somewhat effective in abduction cases, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes just 27% who say the alerts are Very Effective. Only 12%, however, feel Amber Alerts are not very or Not At All Effective. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 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.

Molina, Cabrera Early Favorites For 2013 MLB MVP Awards

There’s still plenty of baseball left in the 2013 season, but fans already have an idea of which players are heading toward one of the league’s biggest annual awards.

Detroit Tigers slugger and last year’s winner Miguel Cabrera is well ahead of the pack of American League contenders with 39% of Major League Baseball fans who say he’s been the most valuable player this season. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that Baltimore’s Chris Davis, who is currently sitting on 40 homeruns, is in a distant second with 19% of the vote. Eight percent (8%) of fans think veteran David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox has been this year’s MVP, while nearly as many (7%) say the same of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

Ten percent (10%) think someone not named in the survey is the current MVP, while 12% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The field for the National League MVP is a little tighter and features two catchers in the top three. Veteran catcher Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals comes in first with 20% of the vote for MVP, while 13% prefer Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. San Francisco Giants catcher and last year’s MVP Buster Posey comes in at 10% while New York Mets pitching sensation Matt Harvey draws seven percent (7%) of the vote. Six percent (6%) believe Cincinnati Reds slugger Joey Votto has been the league’s MVP so far this season. One in five fans (19%) thinks someone else not named in the survey should win, while just as many are undecided.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt each receive less than five percent (5%) support.

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The national survey of 745 baseball fans was conducted on July 17-18, 2013 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.

25% Think Mass Transit in U.S. Not As Safe as 10 Years Ago

Most Americans think mass transit in the United States is safe, but one-in-four think it's less safe than it was a decade ago.   

Seventy-four percent (74%) of American Adults say, generally speaking, mass transit services in the United States are at least somewhat safe, but only 23% think they are Very Safe.  A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 16% think public transportation is not very or Not At All Safe.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 2-3, 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.

Baseball Fans Predict Detroit Tigers Will Win World Series

The second half of the Major League Baseball season is underway, and the Detroit Tigers are now the favorite to win the World Series. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 22% of Baseball Fans think the Detroit Tigers will redeem themselves from last year’s series loss, while nearly as many (18%) believe the St. Louis Cardinals will win the World Series.  Eleven percent (11%) say the Boston Red Sox will win it all. 

Seven percent (7%) of fans predict the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves will be this year’s champions, followed by the Oakland Athletics (6%).  This year’s preseason favorite, the Los Angeles Dodgers, come in at four percent (4%).  No other team reaches four percent (4%).  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 745 baseball fans was conducted on July 17-18, 2013 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.

74% Rarely or Never Use Mass Transit

Most Americans seldom, if ever use mass transit, but they still tend to believe the government should back mass transit projects as long as they don’t lose money.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of American Adults use mass transit services such as buses, subways, trains or ferries every day or nearly every day. Seven percent (7%) use these services at least once a week. Four percent (4%) ride them two or three times a month, while another seven percent (7%) characterize their use as once every few months.

But three-out-of-four Americans (74%) say they rarely or never use mass transit. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 2-3 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.

Men Are Still Chief Breadwinners in Most Relationships

A recent major study suggests that an increasing number of American women are now the primary breadwinners in married couples, but for most men and women, the man remains the chief earner.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of men say they earn the most money in their marriage or domestic partnership, compared to 23% of women who say they earn the most. Fifty-four percent (54%) of women say their partner earns more. Only 18% of men say their partner is the bigger earner. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,818 Adults was conducted on July 17-18, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2 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% See Marriage As Very Important To U.S. Society

Most Americans think marriage is an integral part of society, but a third believe it’s bad if both parents work to support a family. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 79% of American Adults find the institution of marriage at least somewhat important to U.S. society, but 55% see it as Very Important.  Only 18% don’t believe marriage is important, including five percent (5%) who see it as Not At All Important.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national survey of 1,818 Adults was conducted on July 17-18, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

75% Prefer Traditional Book to Electronic Reading Device

Three-out-of-four Americans still prefer a traditional book over an electronic book-reading device and continue to reads books that way.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of American Adults would rather read a book in a traditional print format than on an electronic book-reading device like a Kindle. Fifteen percent (15%) prefer reading on an electronic device. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 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. 

59% Favor Government Subsidies to Keep Student Loan Costs Down

As Congress continues to struggle over a plan for government-backed student loans, most Americans think the government should be providing subsidies to keep those costs lower for students. Adults also feel more strongly that student loans should cover the cost of any college a student chooses.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of American Adults believe government subsidies should be used to keep costs lower on student loan interest rates. Thirty percent (30%) think student loan interest rates should be the same as for regular loans. Another 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 13-14, 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% Blame Spike in Food Stamp Recipients on Easier Government Rules

Americans now blame looser government eligibility requirements nearly as much as the bad economy for the big jump in people on food stamps. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults still believe the large increase in the number of people currently receiving food stamps is primarily due to tough economic times. But nearly as many (43%) now think the spike in food stamp recipients is chiefly because government rules have made it easier to get food stamps. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 13-14, 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% Believe Availability of Student Loans Has Driven Up College Tuitions

Last week the U.S. Senate was unable to pass a bill that would have returned subsidized Stafford Loans for low- and middle-income college students to a lower interest rate that expired July 1. But most Americans think lower tuitions are better for college students than easier access to student loans, and they blame those loans for pushing up college costs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 81% of American Adults believe that lowering tuition costs would do more to help college students than giving them easier access to student loans. Just nine percent (9%) take the opposite view and think easing access to loans would be more helpful. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 13-14, 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.

56% Rarely or Never Eat Fast Food

Most Americans say they don’t eat fast food during a typical week, but those that do say it’s mostly about convenience.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of American Adults say they rarely or never eat a meal from a fast food restaurant during a typical week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-three percent (43%) say they eat fast food at least once a week, with 16% who say they eat it more than once a week. Very few adults (1%), though, say they eat fast food meals more than three times a week. (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 July 9-10, 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. 

58% Eat At A Restaurant At Least Once A Week

Most Americans continue to eat out at least one time each week.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of American Adults now say they are dining out at least once a week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s virtually unchanged from January and includes 40% who say they typically go out to a restaurant once a week, 14% who go out two or three times a week and four percent (4%) who dine out more than three times a week. Thirty-nine percent (39%), on the other hand, rarely or never eat at a restaurant. (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 July 9-10, 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. 

40% Think Routine Blood Testing Via Internet or Apps Likely in Next 10 Years

A sizable number of Americans think new technologies will make it possible in the next 10 years for most people to do routine blood tests at home rather than going to a doctor's office. Half think this will be a change for the better. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Americans Adults believe it’s at least somewhat likely that Americans within the next 10 years will be able to do routine blood tests every day and use the Internet or smart phone apps to send the results to doctors. Fifty-one percent (51%) see this as unlikely. This includes 10% who think this at-home testing is Very Likely in the next 10 years and 13% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 5-6, 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.

81% Visit Doctor Once a Year or More

Most Americans visit a doctor at least once a year, and the majority of them spend 30 minutes or more there.

A new Rasmussen Reports national survey shows that 81% of Americans see a doctor at least once a year, including 54% who visit more than once a year. Eleven percent (11%) visit the doctor every month, while another two percent (2%) go several times a month. Just 16% rarely or never go to a doctor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 5-6, 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.

Most Americans Think Campus Groups Can Set Requirements For Their Officers

A Christian fellowship group at Tufts University in Boston has been downgraded on campus for requiring its leaders to share its conservative Christian beliefs including the belief that sex should only take place within heterosexual marriage. 

But 62% of American Adults believe that a Christian organization on a college campus should be allowed to require that all officers of the club be Christian, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national survey. Twenty-seven percent (27%) don’t think these groups should be allowed to make such a requirement, while 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 7-8, 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. 

64% Think It’s Possible For Americans to Have Honest Discussion About Race

Race relations in the United States have been increasingly present in the news cycle lately with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the trial of George Zimmerman, but most think Americans of different races can have a healthy dialogue on racially-charged issues.  Americans also agree overwhelmingly that charges of racism don't apply just to whites.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 64% of American Adults believe it is possible for people of different races in America to have an honest and open discussion about race issues. Twenty percent (20%) say this type of discussion is not possible. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 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.