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                            March 6, 201328% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction
Twenty-eight percent (28%) 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 3.
Voter optimism in the nation’s current course is down six points from the previous week and is the lowest level measured since August of 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 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen February 25-March 3, 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 6, 201359% Say It’s No Longer Possible To Work Hard and Get Rich in U.S.
More Americans than ever now believe it is no longer possible for anyone in the United States to work their way out of poverty. They believe even more strongly that it's no longer possible for someone to work hard in this country and get rich.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of American Adults now say it is possible for anyone in the country to work hard and get rich, generally unchanged since late 2012. Fifty-nine percent (59%), though, say that is no longer possible, up from 55% in late January and the highest level of pessimism in over four years of surveying.  Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! Answers can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 6.
(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 March 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.
March 6, 20138% Think Congress Is Doing A Good or Excellent Job
The sequester hoopla of recent weeks hasn't changed a thing: Positive ratings for Congress remain in single digits for the third straight month.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Sixty-seven percent (67%) rate Congress’ performance as poor. (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, 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 6, 201358% Worry That Government Spending Won’t Be Cut Enough
As Congress and President Obama struggle over ways to reduce the federal budget deficit, most Americans worry that they will raise taxes too much and won’t cut spending enough.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters are worried most that Congress and the president will raise taxes too much rather than that they won’t raise taxes enough. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are most worried that Congress and the president won’t raise taxes enough. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 4-5, 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 6, 2013Sequester: Not Even a Cut By John Stossel
If you're reading this, you've survived the "sequester" cuts!
That may surprise you, since President Obama likened the sequester to taking a "meat cleaver" to government, causing FBI agents to be furloughed, prosecutors to let criminals escape and medical research to grind to a halt!
The media hyped it, too. The NBC Nightly News said, "The sequester could cripple air travel, force firefighter layoffs -- even kick preschoolers out of child care!"

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                            March 6, 201350% Favor Everyone Paying Same Share of Income in Taxes
Americans continue to feel the middle class pays more in taxes percentagewise than the wealthy do but are less enthusiastic about everyone paying the same percentage of their income in taxes.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Adults believe middle-class Americans pay a larger share of their income in taxes than the wealthy do. Only 28% disagree and think wealthy Americans pay a bigger share of their income in taxes. Twelve percent (12%) 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 American Adults was conducted on March 3-4, 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 5, 201350% Think Spending Increases Hurt The Economy
Voters continue to believe it's better to cut taxes and spending than to raise them.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters think increases in government spending help the economy. Nearly twice as many (50%) believe spending increases hurt the economy. Nine percent (9%) feel they have no impact, while 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 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28-March 1, 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 5, 201320% Think Stock Market Will Be Higher A Year From Now
With short-term and long-term confidence in the U.S. economy at record lows, Americans don’t have much hope for the stock and housing markets either. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 20% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher a year from now.  Thirty-one percent (31%) think the stock market will be lower, while 34% predict that it will be about the same.  Fifteen percent (15%) 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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 5, 2013Rasmussen Employment Index Dips Two Points in February
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence slipped almost two points in February but remains above monthly levels measured for much of 2012.
At 85.6, the Employment Index is down two points from February 2012 but is up seven points from February 2011. In December 2012, the Index hit a five-year high of 91.2.
The survey of 8,952 working Americans was conducted in February 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 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 5, 201338% Have Filed Their Income Taxes Already
Americans appear to be keeping pace with last year when it comes to paying their income taxes, but they’re more optimistic about getting a refund this year.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of American Adults have filed their income taxes already. Fifty-two percent (52%) have yet to file but plan to do so by the April 15 deadline. Four percent (4%) plan to get an extension. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 3-4, 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 5, 2013Is the Sequester That Awful? By Froma Harrop
The sequester may be "dumb," as the president says, but one thing it is, is interesting. Especially the politics.
First off, it slashes defense spending, which Democrats want and most Republicans don't. With the exceptions of Hawaii and Maryland, the deepest defense cuts are being felt in the red (or purple) states so intent on shrinking government.
Irony abounds. Note the spectacle of red-state politicians fighting off tax hikes that would hit hardest on the blue states, where incomes are higher.
Let's talk about Virginia, whose economy will be most hurt by the squeeze on civilian defense jobs. Thanks to the war on terror, a civilization of gleaming new office towers had spread across its northern countryside. No doubt these people are doing useful work, some of them. But inadequate attention has been paid to what the taxpayers were getting in return.

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                            March 5, 201342% Think Sequester Didn’t Cut Government Spending Enough
Despite the warning cries from official Washington over the sequester cuts in government spending, a sizable number of voters think the cuts didn’t go far enough. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the sequester didn’t cut federal spending enough. Only 26% think spending was cut too much, while 10% believe the level of cuts was about right. Twenty-two percent (22%) 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 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.

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                            March 4, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 43%, Republicans 40%
Democrats hold a three-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending March 3.
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 40% 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 February 25-March 3, 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.

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                            March 4, 2013New Low:  25% Say U.S. Economy Will Be Stronger In One Year
Like long-term economic confidence a month ago, short-term confidence in the U.S. economy is now at a new low.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults now think the economy will be stronger a year from today. Nearly twice as many (48%) believe it will be weaker in a year's time. Eighteen percent (18%) expect it to be about the same.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Check back tomorrow for the latest Rasmussen Challenge question.
(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 March 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.

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                            March 4, 201335% Support U.S. Aid For Syrian Rebels
Secretary of State John Kerry announced last week that the United States will provide financial and humanitarian aid to Syrian rebels battling to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Voter support for this aid is mixed, and most continue to think the United States should leave the Syrian crisis alone.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters favor giving U.S. financial and humanitarian aid to forces attempting to overthrow the Syrian government. Forty-two percent (42%) oppose this aid, while another 24% 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 February 28 – March 1, 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 4, 201344% Think Sequester Will Have No Impact or a Positive One on Their Lives
Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the sequester spending cuts will have a positive impact or no impact on their own lives in the long term. This includes 18% who view the cuts as a positive, although just five percent (5%) think they will have a Very Positive impact in terms of their own lives.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% predict the sequester cuts will have a long-term negative impact on their lives, with nine percent (9%) who say it will be Very Negative. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 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.
March 4, 2013For Obama, Politics Always Trumps Governing By Michael Barone
Do we have a president or a perpetual candidate? It's not an entirely unfair question.
Even as Barack Obama was warning of the dreadful consequences of the budget sequester looming on March 1, he spent days away from Washington, apparently out of touch with Democratic as well as Republican congressional leaders.
In the meantime, Obama fans were lobbing verbal grenades at none other than The Washington Post's Bob Woodward.

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                            March 4, 201354% Think U.S. Health Care System Likely to Worsen Over Next Couple Years
One-in-four voters rate the U.S. health care system as poor, but most expect the system to get worse over the next couple of years. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the U.S. health care system good or excellent, while 24% rate it as poor. (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 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.

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                            March 3, 2013Americans Feel Most Connected to A Local Religious Group
Most Americans feel connected to a local church or religious organization, and nothing else comes close. Government and politics are near the bottom of the list.
Generally, people feel that they are connected and play a positive role in some organizations but not others. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults feel at least somewhat connected to their local church or religious organization, with 34% who think they are Very Connected.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            March 2, 201351% Rate Obama's Handling of National Security As Good or Excellent
Voters continue to think President Obama is doing a better job handling national security area than dealing with the economy. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the way the president is handling economic issues as good or excellent, while 43% rate his performance in this area as poor. This is generally consistent with surveys for the past couple of years. (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 February 26-27, 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.