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March 28, 2013

55% Want Government to Deport Those Who Overstay Their Visas

An estimated 40% to 45% of the 11 million illegal immigrants now in the United States are people who entered the country on legal visas and then stayed on after those visas expired. Most voters think the government should send those people home, but the Political Class disagrees.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the federal government should find these illegal immigrants and make them go home. Only 22% oppose such a policy, while just as many (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(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 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 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.

March 27, 2013

33% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Thirty-three percent (33%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, March 24.

Voter optimism in the nation’s current course is up two points from the previous week and is line with attitudes at the beginning of the year. Confidence in the nation's course peaked at a high of 43% the week before Election Day but has gradually come down since then.

When President Obama assumed office in January 2009, the number of voters who felt the country was heading in the right direction rose to 27% and then climbed into the 30s, peaking at 40% in early May of that year. In 2010 and 2011, confidence steadily decreased down to the narrow range of 14% to 19%, levels similar to those measured in the final months of the George W. Bush administration. Optimism began climbing again in mid-December 2011.

(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 March 18-24, 2013. 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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March 27, 2013

40% Give Obama Positive Marks on Job Creation

President Obama continues to earned mixed reviews for his handling of the jobs issue and small business.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely Voters rate the way the president is handling issues related to job creation as good or excellent, while 42% give him a poor rating in this area.

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(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 24-25, 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

March 27, 2013

68% Say Bigger Problem in Legal System Is Too Many Released Criminals

Americans feel even more strongly that the biggest problem with the criminal justice system is that too many criminals are set free. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 68% of U.S. Adults believe that the bigger problem with law enforcement and the legal system is that too many criminals are released, not that too many innocent people are arrested. Eighteen percent (18%) hold the opposite view and think the bigger problem is that too many innocent people are arrested. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. Answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 21-22, 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.

March 27, 2013

45% Say Sequester Didn’t Cut Government Spending Enough

Just over three weeks after the sequester cuts in the growth of federal spending kicked in, voters feel a bit more strongly that they didn’t cut deep enough.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 22% of Likely U.S. Voters still think the sequester cut the projected growth in spending too much. But twice as many (45%) disagree and think it didn’t cut enough. Fourteen percent (14%) feel the amount cut was about right. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.

(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 24-25, 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.

March 27, 2013

61% Favor Immigration Reform With English As Official Language

There is broad support in America for comprehensive immigration reform, but the devil is in the details.

This reality is highlighted by comparing two different proposals for comprehensive reform. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters support a proposal for securing the border and legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already in the country. Twenty-six percent (26%) are opposed.

However, the numbers shift when provisions are added to punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and to make English the official language. Overall, support for the more comprehensive plan increases two points to 61%, while opposition declines three points to 23%. (See wording for both questions.)

(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 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 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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March 27, 2013

Imperial Washington By John Stossel

The Senate did something this past weekend it hasn't done in four years: passed a budget. The law requires the Senate to pass a budget, but Congress often ignores its own laws. For most of Barack Obama's presidency, a series of continuing resolutions kept the money -- your money -- flowing. Now the Senate wants to add a trillion dollars of new taxes, even more than President Obama seeks. Despite our growing debt, the Senate wants to fund things like the Senate barbershop, which loses a third of a million dollars every year.

March 26, 2013

49% Worry Government Won't Do Enough to Help Economy

Nearly half of voters are still concerned that the federal government will not do enough to help the U.S. economy, and most still want spending cuts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems, the federal government will not do enough, down slightly from last month’s high of 51%. Thirty-nine percent (39%) worry the government will do too much, up from 37% last month and generally in line with surveys since late 2012. Another 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. Answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 27.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 22-23, 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.

March 26, 2013

To Become U.S. Citizen, 54% Say Drop Previous Citizenship

Border security and a path to citizenship are the most talked about issues when it comes to immigration reform, but another part of the debate involves multiple citizenships. Thirty-four percent (34%) of Likely U.S. Voters say that if someone wants to become an American citizen, he or she should be allowed to remain a citizen of another country at the same time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 54% of voters don’t think potential U.S. citizens should be allowed to maintain dual citizenship. Another 12% 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 March 20-21, 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.

March 26, 2013

Just 20% Think U.S. Public Schools Provide World-Class Education

Most voters agree that American schools should provide their students with a world-class education and teach them the values of Western civilization, but few think they're doing a good job.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of Likely U.S. Voters agree that “a world-class education is the single most important factor in determining whether our kids can compete for the best jobs and whether America can outcompete countries around the world.”  Only 19% disagree, while another 14% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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(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 24-25, 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.

March 26, 2013

12% Say Sequester Cuts Have Hurt Them in a Major Way

Just over half of U.S. voters now say the March 1 sequester cuts in the growth of federal government spending have had no impact on their lives.

Only 12% say the sequester cuts have had a major impact on them personally. Despite predictions that the sequester impact would grow over time, there’s no indication of that happening yet. The number experiencing a major impact is basically unchanged from the weekend the sequester first took effect. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 24-25, 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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March 26, 2013

Often You Don't Need a Doctor By Froma Harrop

You want a routine checkup. Or your throat is sore. It's probably nothing, but you're concerned. Do you need a full-fledged MD with all those certificates and perhaps a God complex?   

March 26, 2013

44% See U.S. Justice System As Fair, 40% Disagree

Americans are increasingly critical of the fairness of the U.S. justice system, especially as far as the poor are concerned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Adults in this country still believe the U.S. system of justice is fair to most Americans. Forty percent (40%) disagree, and 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 nationwide was conducted on March 21-22, 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.

March 25, 2013

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 43%, Republicans 38%

Democrats continue to hold a five-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending March 24.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% 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.

(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 18-24, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

March 25, 2013

73% Think States Should Set Guest Worker Limits

Senators hoping to reach bipartisan agreement on comprehensive immigration reform legislation have found a new snag—the provisions for allowing guest workers into the United States.

Seventy-percent (70%) of Likely U.S. Voters support a guest worker program that would allow workers to stay in the United States temporarily if they have a job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% are opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 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.

March 25, 2013

59% Favor Death Penalty

Maryland is about to become the sixth state to abolish capital punishment following the passage of a bill that Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to sign.  Most Americans still support the death penalty, but they're much more closely divided when asked if capital punishment actually deters crime.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of U.S. Adults favor the death penalty, while 24% are opposed. Another 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Play the Rasmussen Challenge. A new challenge starts tomorrow!

(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 nationwide was conducted on March 22-23, 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.

March 25, 2013

52% Think U.S. Should Have Stayed Out of Iraq

Ten years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, voters tend to think both the United States and Iraq are better off because of the war, but just over half still don’t believe America should ever have been involved there.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters think, looking back, that the United States should have gotten involved with Iraq. Fifty-two percent (52%) disagree and oppose that involvement. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 March 22-23, 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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March 25, 2013

New Census Data Show People Go Where the Money Is By Michael Barone

What parts of America have been growing during these years of sluggish economic growth?    

March 25, 2013

50% View Health Care Law Unfavorably

It’s been three years since the passage of President Obama’s health care law, and it still hasn’t become popular. Half of voters hold an unfavorable opinion of it, and most continue to think the law will push up health care costs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable view of the health care law. Fifty percent (50%) view it unfavorably. This includes 19% with a Very Favorable opinion of the law and 36% with a Very Unfavorable 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 March 22-23, 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.

March 24, 2013

68% Believe Legal Immigration Is Good for America

The United States is a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Not surprisingly, voters continue to respect both traditions and strongly agree that legal immigration is good for America. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Likely U.S. Voters think immigration when done within the law is good for America, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Only 19% disagree and feel legal immigration is bad for the country. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.