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April 9, 2014

Taxing Life Away By John Stossel

It's tax time. I'm too scared to do my taxes. I'm sure I'll get something wrong and my enemies in government will persecute -- no, I mean prosecute -- me. So I hired Bob.

Bob's my accountant. I like Bob, but I don't like that I have to have an accountant. I don't want to spend time keeping records and talking to Bob about boring things I don't understand, and I really don't want to pay Bob. But I have to.

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April 9, 2014

31% Believe U.S. Has Crony Capitalist System

Many Americans remain unconvinced that the United States has a system of free market capitalism and continue to be wary of government involvement in the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of American Adults believe the United States has a system of free market capitalism, while just as many (31%) say it is a system of crony capitalism. Slightly more (37%) are not sure what kind of capitalist system America has. (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 April 6-7, 2014, 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.

April 8, 2014

56% Think There Are Too Many Lawyers in U.S.

Most Americans still think there are too many lawyers in the country today, and they’re not happy that they make up the majority of Congress.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think there are too many lawyers in America, although that’s down slightly from 60% in 2012. Just nine percent (9%) feel like there are not enough lawyers. Nineteen percent (19%) say the number of lawyers is about right, but 16% 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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 4-5, 2014 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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April 8, 2014

Ellen, Colbert Are Leading Favorites for Letterman Job

David Letterman announced last week that he would be officially retiring from hosting duties of CBS-TV's The Late Show next year. Americans are closely divided as to who should take his place.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults share a somewhat favorable opinion of Letterman, including 13% with a Very Favorable opinion of the late night host.  Thirty-three percent (33%) view him somewhat unfavorably, with 14% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of Letterman. (For 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 April 6-7, 2014 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.

April 8, 2014

23% Rate Obamacare A Success; 62% Think GOP Repeal Likely

The Obama administration boasted last week that it had surpassed its March 31 goal of signing up seven million Americans through new health insurance exchanges. But few voters consider the new national health care law a success, and most think repeal of the law is likely if Republicans take over Congress in November.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely U.S. Voters view Obamacare as a success so far. Twice as many (46%) describe the health care law as a failure. For 29%, it’s somewhere in between the two. (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 April 5-6, 2014 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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April 8, 2014

US and Canada: Together at Last? By Froma Harrop

What country do Americans overwhelmingly like the most? Canada.   

April 8, 2014

47% Blame Humans for Global Warming

Nearly half of voters now think humans are to blame for global warming, although just as many still believe there is significant disagreement in the scientific community on the issue.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% consider global warming at least a somewhat serious problem. That includes 39% who believe it is a Very Serious problem, up nine points from February and the highest level of strong concern since June 2009.Thirty-three percent (33%) don’t think global warming is a serious problem, with 16% who say it’s Not At All Serious. (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 April 3-4, 2014 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.

April 7, 2014

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 39%

Democrats continue to hold a one-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending Sunday, April 6, finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 39% would choose the Republican instead.

(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 telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from March 31-April 6, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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

April 7, 2014

50% Are Less Likely To Vote for Another Bush in the White House

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters said in a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey last month that they are less likely to vote for Jeb Bush for president in 2016 because his father and brother have already served in the White House.

Fourteen percent (14%) said the Bush family's presidential legacy makes them more likely to vote for the former Florida governor. Thirty-four percent (34%) say it would have no impact on their voting decision. (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 March 4-5, 2014 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.

April 7, 2014

73% View Girl Scouts Favorably

It’s spring which means it’s time to stock up on Thin Mints. Over half of Americans bought Girl Scout cookies this year and continue to have a favorable opinion of the organization behind the popular treats.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults view the Girl Scouts of America at least somewhat favorably, including 29% with a Very Favorable opinion. Just 12% view the Girl Scouts somewhat or Very Unfavorably. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 2-3, 2014 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.

April 7, 2014

54% Say Government Should Regulate Campaign Contributions

Voters by a two-to-one margin disagree with last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling and believe the government should control how much money people can contribute to political campaigns. But they also still think it’s a candidate’s views and not campaign contributions that provide the winning edge in an election.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the government should regulate how much money individuals can give to political campaigns. Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree, while 16% 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 3-4, 2014 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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April 7, 2014

On Our Highest Court, a Former Lobbyist Guts Campaign Finance Reform by Joe Conason

For a large and bipartisan majority of Americans, the increasing power of money in politics is deeply troubling. But not for the conservative majority of the United States Supreme Court, whose members appear to regard the dollar's domination of democracy as an inevitable consequence of constitutional freedom -- and anyway, not a matter of grave concern. Expressed in their decisions on campaign finance, which continued last week to dismantle decades of reform in the McCutcheon case, the court's right wing sees little risk of corruption and little need to regulate the flamboyant spending of billionaires.

April 7, 2014

53% Expect Quality of Care To Suffer Under Health Care Law

Unfavorable opinions of the new national health care law are at their highest level in several months, while the number who think the quality of care in this country will get worse is at its highest level in over three years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of the health care law, with 43% who view it Very Unfavorably. Just 39% have a favorable view of the law, including 16% with a Very Favorable one. (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 April 5-6, 2014 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.

April 6, 2014

Dodgers, Red Sox Top Fans' 2014 World Series Picks

One week into the Major League Baseball season, this year’s championship team is anyone’s guess.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of baseball fans shows that 13% believe the Los Angeles Dodgers will win this year’s World Series. Just as many (12%) believe the defending champion Boston Red Sox will win again this year, while 10% think last year’s National League champion St. Louis Cardinals will win it all. (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 717 baseball fans was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2014 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.

April 4, 2014

13% Think They’ll Be Earning Less Money in a Year

Most Americans still consider themselves middle class, but slightly more now think they’ll be earning less money in a year’s time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 13% of Employed Adults think they will be earning less money a year from now, up from an all-time low of six percent (6%) in February but more in line with regular surveying since early 2010. Forty-two percent (42%), though, still expect to be earning more, down only slightly from two months ago. Thirty-seven percent (37%) think they’ll be earning about the same amount next year. (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 580 Employed Adults was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2014 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.

April 4, 2014

Florida is The Favorite to Win Men’s NCAA Championship

March Madness followers are predicting the Florida Gators will win the national men's collegiate basketball championship this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Adults who are following the NCAA basketball tournament at least somewhat closely finds that 37% believe the University of Florida will win it all. The University of Kentucky Wildcats are second with 21% support. Sixteen percent (16%) pick the University of Wisconsin Badgers to win, while 10% favor the University of Connecticut Huskies. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 survey of 1,200 NCAA Basketball Tournament Fans was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2014 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.

April 4, 2014

Favorables for Boy Scouts Fall to 59%

Favorable views of the Boy Scouts of America continue to decline, but American still strongly believe that scouting is good for young people.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the Boy Scouts of America. However, this is down six points from 65% last May and a 14-point drop from 73% in February 2012 Twenty-eight percent (28%) now view the Boy Scouts unfavorably.

The latest findings include 21% with a Very Favorable opinion, down from 40% two years ago, and 10% with a Very Unfavorable one.  Fourteen percent (14%) 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 survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 2-3, 2014 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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April 4, 2014

Millennials Choose the Path of Least Resistance By Michael Barone

When Alexis de Tocqueville visited America in 1830, he was struck by how many Americans were participating in voluntary associations. It was quite a contrast with his native France, where power was centralized in Paris and people did not trust each other enough to join in voluntary groups.

Tocqueville might have a different impression should he, utilizing time travel, visit the America of 2030. Or so I conclude on reading the recently released Pew Research Center report on the attitudes and behavior of America's Millennial generation.

April 4, 2014

60% Favor Plan to Offer Citizenship In Exchange for Military Service

House Republicans are proposing a plan that would allow young illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens by joining the military, and most voters favor such a plan.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the military should be allowed to offer U.S. citizenship to non-citizens who are willing to serve and do so honorably for at least five years. But support for that plan is down five points from 65% in early February. Twenty-five percent (25%) disagree, up from 19% in the previous survey. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 April 1-2, 2014 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.