Lifestyle

23% Give U.S. Public Education Positive Marks

Americans still don’t think too highly of the public education system in the United States, but they continue to give much higher marks to the school their own child attends.

A new Rasmussen Report national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults rate the current performance of public schools in America today as good or excellent.  Thirty-six percent (36%) give public education in the United States poor marks.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

36% Support U.S. Manned Mission To Mars

NASA recently sent a robotic-like machine into space to further explore Mars, and now Americans are slightly more supportive of sending a human to the Red Planet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults think the current goals of the space program should include sending someone to Mars.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree, while 27% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

27% Favor Extending School Year to All 12 Months

Roughly one-in-four American Adults (27%) continue to favor extending the school year to a 12-month calendar, but 66% are opposed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Among adults who have children at home who attend elementary or secondary schools, 30% support year-round schooling, and 58% are opposed. (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 August 1-2, 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.

Most Americans Favor More School Spending Until The Price Tag Is Attached

Most Americans don't think the government spends enough on public education until they find out how much it really does spend on schools. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults believe the government spends too much on public education.  Fifty-two percent (52%) disagree and feel the government doesn’t spend enough. Thirteen percent (13%) say the level of government spending is about right.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

66% Say Formal Education Key to Success in Life, Not Street Smarts

With the start of school right around the corner, most Americans continue to believe that what you learn inside the classroom is more valuable than what’s learned on the outside.

Two-out-of-three (66%) American Adults say formal education is more important for success in life than street smarts, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Twenty-one percent (21%) think street smarts are more valuable, while another 14% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

68% Are Confident About Nutritional Info on Restaurant Menus

A majority of Americans continue to trust the nutritional information they find in menus and on menu boards at restaurants across the country.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of American Adults are at least somewhat confident about the accuracy of nutritional information published on menus, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not confident in the accuracy of the nutrition information.

These findings include 20% who are Very Confident and just four percent (4%) who are Not At All Confident. They also show little change from January. (To see survey question wording, click here)

41% Dining Out Less Often Than They Were Six Months Ago

Fewer Americans than ever say they are going out to eat less often than they were six months ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults say they are dining out at a restaurant less often compared to six months ago.  Only five percent (5%) say they are going out to eat more often, while a majority (53%) is dining out about the same as they were six months ago. (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 July 30-31, 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.

68% Say There Are Too Many Unnecessary Laws in the U.S.

Although laws are meant to protect people from crime, the majority of Americans believe there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States and there are too many people in jail for violating them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults think there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States today. Nineteen percent (19%) do not, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

52% Say Violence in Video Games, Movies Leads to More Violence in Society

After alleged shooter James Holmes killed 12 people in a shooting spree at a midnight screening of the newest Batman film, many were wondering whether violence in movies leads to more violence in society.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults do believe violent movies and television shows lead to more violence in society. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree, but 14% 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 July 26-27, 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.

27% Say Sanctions Given to Penn State Too Severe

Americans strongly believe football programs have too much influence over their colleges and universities, and 20% think the NCAA didn't go far enough when it punished Penn State for ignoring longstanding child molestation charges against a popular football coach.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% of American Adults feel the sanctions on the Penn State football program are too severe. Thirty-six percent (36%) believe the level of punishment is about right. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

77% Say U.S. Athletes Excelling in Olympics Makes Them Proud To Be Americans

More than half of adults nationwide are likely to watch a large portion of the Summer Olympics that begin this Friday in London, and even more say they feel pride when American athletes do well in the games.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 77% of American Adults say that when U.S. athletes excel in the Olympics, it makes them feel proud to be Americans. Just 15% don’t share this sentiment. (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 20-21, 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.

Most Americans Have Had Blood Pressure, Cholesterol Checked In Past Six Months

More Americans have had their blood pressure checked in the past six months than their cholesterol, and roughly a third have been told those levels are high.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of American Adults have had their blood pressure checked in the last six months, while 61% have done the same with their cholesterol.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

66% Rate Their Own Health As Good Or Excellent

Most Americans continue to give their own health positive ratings, but a sizable number say their doctor has recommended a lifestyle change for them in the past year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults rate their own health as good or excellent these days, while only nine percent (9%) say they're in poor health.  (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 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.

42% Say They Cheated on a Test or Exam in School

New York City's school system is the latest to be hit with a major cheating scandal, but Americans nationwide believe most students cheat at least one time in school. A sizable number admits to cheating themselves.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 70% believe most students cheat at least once in school. Just 12% disagree with that assessment, but 17% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

66% Are Happy With Their Lives

Most Americans are happy with their lives and don't think money made them that way. But the majority also think rich people earned what they have by working for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults are not happy with how their lives are going. But two-out-of-three (66%) disagree and are happy with their lives. 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 10-11, 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.

Most Americans Define $50,000-A-Year As Middle Income

So how much money do you have to earn to be a part of the middle class, and when would most Americans consider you wealthy?

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults consider $50,000 a year middle income, while 32% describe it as lower income. That hasn’t changed since the last time Rasmussen reports asked these questions in March 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

MLB All-Star Game: 51% Predict American League Win, 41% Pick National League

Most baseball fans have no problem with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game determining which league’s team gets home field advantage in the World Series, and just over half predict the American League team will pick up that advantage tonight.

The survey of 639 Baseball Fans was conducted on July 5, 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.

35% of Baseball Fans Say Josh Hamilton AL MVP So Far, NL Wide Open

Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton is running away with the vote for American League Most Valuable Player at this season’s halfway point, but the National League honor is still up for grabs. Thirty-five percent (35%) of Baseball Fans say Hamilton has been the AL MVP so far this season, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. a New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is a distant second with 16% of the vote. Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is viewed as the MVP by 11% of fans. No other top performers draw five percent (5%) of the vote. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 639 Baseball Fans was conducted on July 5, 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.

Texas Rangers Favored To Win 2012 World Series

With the All-Star break starting tomorrow, the Texas Rangers are now the team fans think will win the 2012  World Series Championship. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of Baseball Fans think it’s likely the Rangers will win this year’s World Series after two straight unsuccessful appearances the past two seasons.    

The survey of 639 Baseball Fans was conducted on July 5, 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.

24% of Dieters Have Used Pills to Lose Weight

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new weight-loss pill for the first time in 13 years, and this could be useful news for a quarter of Americans who say they have used such pills in the past while dieting.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of American Adults who have been on a diet to lose weight have used a weight-loss drug to help them do so. Seventy-five percent (75%) have not. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 28-29, 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.