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                            January 9, 201415% Favor Extending Unemployment Benefits Indefinitely
Support for extending unemployment benefits is up slightly, but more than twice as many Americans still think the federal government should do nothing at all to help the long-term unemployed.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 15% of American Adults believe the federal government should extend unemployment benefits indefinitely for those who can’t find work after an extended period of time. That's up from 10% in November and the highest level of support since June 2011. Essentially unchanged from past surveys are the 11% who think the government should just hire the long-term unemployed. Twenty-nine percent (29%) prefer the short-term solution of paying for their retraining, consistent with surveying for the past couple years.
(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 and Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 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.

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                            January 9, 201425% Favor U.S. Military Action in Iraq or Syria If Al Qaeda Takes Over
One-in-four voters is now prepared to take military action against Iraq or Syria if al-Qaeda-led forces win control there.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose U.S. military action against Syria or Iraq if either of those countries is taken over by al Qaeda or related terrorists. Twenty-five percent (25%) favor military action given this scenario. A sizable 34% 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 January 7-8, 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.
January 9, 2014The Downton Diet by Froma Harrop
Some enterprising writer must do a book titled "The Downton Diet." It would explain how to get and stay slim without moving a muscle, as the aristocratic women in the wildly popular British drama series demonstrate.
Furthermore, they appear to eat three squares a day, plus tea with nibbles. Judging from the bowls of eggs and cream Mrs. Patmore is perpetually beating in the kitchen, the gentry at Downton are not exactly being served Lean Cuisines.

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                            January 9, 2014Some Old Foes Seen As U.S. Allies By Most Americans
The United States fought two major wars in the 20th Century and engaged in a lengthy Cold War for several decades. But most Americans now view U.S. relations with two of those former enemies, Germany and Japan, very positively, while they remain skeptical of Vietnam, Russia and China.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of American Adults believe Germany is an ally of the United States. Just one percent (1%) still regard America’s foe in World War I and World War II as an enemy. Nineteen percent (19%) think Germany falls somewhere in between an ally and an enemy. (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 January 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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                            January 8, 201429% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Twenty-nine (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending January 5.
That’s down one point from 30% the previous week which marked the highest level of confidence since early September. In early October during the federal government shutdown, confidence in the country’s course fell to 13%, the lowest finding in five years. A year ago, 33% said the country was heading in the right direction.
(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 on December 30, 2013-January 5, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            January 8, 2014New Low: 25% Think Job Market Worse Than a Year Ago
Most Americans still know someone out of work and looking for a job, but they’re much less pessimistic about the current job market.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults believe the job market today is better than it was a year ago. That's up six points from November but consistent with findings for much of the last year-and-a-half. Just as many (25%) think the job market’s worse than a year ago, but that’s down 13 points from November and the lowest level of pessimism in nearly four years of regular surveying. Forty-eight percent (48%) think the job market is about the same as it was a year 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 and Facebook.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 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.

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                            January 8, 2014What America Thinks: Colorado and the National Marijuana Debate
A number of states now allow the use of marijuana if it is prescribed by a doctor, but Colorado last week became the first state to permit the legal sale of the drug for recreational use. Most voters favor legalizing pot for medicinal purposes but are a lot less enthusiastic about open recreational use.

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                            January 8, 20148% Think Congress Doing a Good or Excellent Job
As Congress returns to Washington, its performance reviews remain in the cellar, and more voters than ever think it’s capable of making a bad situation worse.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Sixty-six percent (66%) rate its performance as poor, but that’s a noticeable improvement from 75% in November, Congress’ highest negative in seven years of regular surveying. (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 January 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.
January 8, 2014Equality Versus Liberty by John Stossel
President Barack Obama says income inequality is "dangerous ... the defining challenge of our time." The pope is upset that capitalism causes inequality. Progressives, facing the failures of Obamacare, are eager to change the subject to America's "wealth gap."
It's true that today, the richest 1 percent of Americans own a third of America's wealth. One percent owns 35 percent!
But I say, so what? Progressives in the media claim that the rich get richer at the expense of the poor.
But that's a lie.
John Stossel is host of "Stossel" on the Fox Business Network. He's the author of "No They Can't: Why Government Fails, but Individuals Succeed." To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2014 BY JFS PRODUCTIONS INC.
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

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                            January 8, 201472% Say Their Light Bulbs Are None of the Feds’ Business
Americans strongly believe that it shouldn’t be up to the government what kind of light bulbs they use. That helps explain why 60% still oppose the ban on traditional bulbs that took effect on January 1.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% of American Adults believe it is the government’s job to tell people in this country what kind of light bulb to use. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree and feel it is not the government’s job to make that call. Ten percent (10%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 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.
January 7, 201447% Say Obama's Too Hostile to Small Business
Voters are slightly less critical of how President Obama deals with small business issues but still think he's more likely to favor big businesses over small ones.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now give the president good or excellent ratings for his handling of issues related to small business, while 42% rate him poorly. That’s a slightly more positive rating than last month when 46% gave Obama poor marks in this area. But 40% gave the president positive marks for his handling of small business issues a year 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 two surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on December 26, 2013 and January 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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                            January 7, 201460% Still Oppose Government's Light Bulb Ban
Only one-in-four Americans support the ban on conventional 40- and 60-watt light bulbs in the United States that went into effect January 1, and the same number say they or someone they know stocked up on the old bulbs beforehand.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults still oppose the ban on traditional light bulbs ordered by the federal government in the name of improved energy efficiency. That's down only slightly from 67% in July 2011 when the government first announced the new regulations. Twenty-five percent (25%) now support the light bulb ban, up from 20% two-and-a-half years ago. Fifteen percent (15%) remain 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 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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                            January 7, 201433% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-three percent (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending January 4. 
This finding is up three points from the week before and is the highest level of optimism since April 2013. The number of voters who think the country is heading in the right direction was below 30% most weeks last year.
(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 2,800 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from December 29-30, 2014 & January 2-4, 2015. 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.
January 7, 2014Right and Left of the Hispanic Vote By Michael Barone
It is widely accepted that Hispanics will become a larger share of the American electorate in the years to come.  

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                            January 7, 201455% Expect 'Noticeable' Change If Democrats Win Congress; 49% Say Same of GOP Win
With 11 months until Election Day, voters are closely divided over whether Democrats or Republicans will win full control of Congress, but most feel a Democratic takeover would have a bigger impact on their lives. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (43%) of Likely U.S. Voters believes it is better for the country when one political party runs both the House of Representatives and the Senate.  Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree and say it is better when each chamber is run by a different party. But a sizable 27% 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 January 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.
January 7, 2014About the People Who Serve Us By Froma Harrop
A New York voice boomed from the back of the long car rental line: "Wha'd they do, lay off half the people?"
One of my thoughts no doubt shared by fellow detainees waiting, waiting at the big-name car rental office at a Florida airport. Behind the desk flashed a screen informing us of the company's very high ratings for customer service. I was not the only one smirking.

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                            January 7, 2014Rasmussen Employment Index Hits Highest Level Since June
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence rose four points in December continuing the upward trend it began in November.
At 89.8, worker confidence is at its highest level since June but is still down five points from the all-time high of 94.4 in May of last year. The index hit a low for 2013 of 81.2 in October. It stood at 91.2 in December 2012.
Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government report on job creation will be stronger than the prior month’s report.

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                            January 6, 2014Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 38%
Democrats have taken the lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the first time since late November.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending January 5 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 38% would choose the Republican instead. The previous week, the two parties were tied at 40% apiece.
(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 December 30, 2013-January 5, 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. 

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                            January 6, 201445% Rate Obama's Handling of Immigration As Poor
Coming off his reelection, President Obama signaled that immigration reform and stricter gun control were two of his top agenda items, but none of his initiatives in these areas made it into law. Voters remain critical of the president's handling of both issues.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to immigration issues, while 45% rate his performance in this area as poor. A year ago, Obama's positives in this area were 39%, and 37% rated him poor. His good or excellent ratings ran as high as 43% in late February, while his poor numbers peaked at 46% in July. (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 January 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.

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                            January 6, 201445% Rate Obama's Handling of Immigration As Poor
Coming off his reelection, President Obama signaled that immigration reform and stricter gun control were two of his top agenda items, but none of his initiatives in these areas made it into law. Voters remain critical of the president's handling of both issues.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of Likely U.S. Voters give the president good or excellent marks when it comes to immigration issues, while 45% rate his performance in this area as poor. A year ago, Obama's positives in this area were 39%, and 37% rated him poor. His good or excellent ratings ran as high as 43% in late February, while his poor numbers peaked at 46% in July. (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 January 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.