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                            February 8, 201349% Consider U.S. Economy Unfair
Voters are almost evenly divided when it comes to the fairness of the U.S. economy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the U.S. economy today is at least somewhat fair, while 49% consider it unfair. This includes only six percent (6%) who feel it is Very Fair and 15% who say it is Not At All Fair. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out.  
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 6-7, 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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                            February 8, 2013Only 36% Think President, Congress Should Stop March 1 Spending Cuts
President Obama and many members of Congress expected strong voter opposition to automatic and across-the-board government spending cuts scheduled for March, but it hasn’t materialized. Partly that’s because most voters recognize that they’re not really spending cuts anyway.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 36% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the president and Congress should stop the automatic spending cuts from going into effect next month. Thirty percent (30%) disagree and say Congress and the president should not stop the automatic spending cuts.  Just as many (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 February 6-7, 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.
February 8, 2013After 20 Years, Success of Family and Medical Leave Act Should Humble the Far Right By Joe Conason
When Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act on Feb. 5, 1993 almost exactly 20 years ago as the first legislative act of his presidency, its establishment as law marked a progressive victory after nearly a decade of ferocious opposition by corporate lobbyists, Republican legislators, conservative media and right-wing pundits.
Leading the opposition was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, whose spokeswoman Virginia Lamp denounced the act as "a dangerous precedent." (She would eventually marry Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and move on to employment with the Koch brothers.) With the honorable exception of the Catholic Church and a number of moderate Republicans in Congress, the self-proclaimed "pro-family" forces in American political life eagerly aided and abetted the Chamber's attempt to kill the act. Mandating a federal right to unpaid leave, even if restricted to certain workers in larger businesses, would place the nation on a slippery path toward European socialism, or worse, according to the Chamber and its Republican allies and impose untold damage on business.

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                            February 8, 2013For Obama, It's Chiefly About Firing up His Base By Scott Rasmussen
As President Obama prepares for his State of the Union address, he has indicated that gun control and immigration will be two of his top priorities. His administration's actions also indicate an ongoing commitment to place a high priority on environmental concerns. These items, though, tend to rank fairly low on voter lists of priorities.

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                            February 7, 201330% Think More Government Hiring Good for the Economy
Americans continue to favor limited government involvement in the job market, with just 30% who now think it would be good for the economy if the government hires more people. That's down three points from December and the lowest finding in nearly two years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (45%) continues to believe it would be bad for the economy if the government does more hiring. Ten percent (10%) think it would have no economic impact, while 15% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in the new Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard to find out. 
The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 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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                            February 7, 2013Voters Have Long Been Okay with Five-Day-A-Week Mail Service
The U.S. Postal Service announced this week that it is ending Saturday delivery come August, but as far as most Americans are concerned, it’s a move that’s long overdue.
Four years ago, in January 2009, 69% of Americans told Rasmussen Reports that they preferred five-day-a-week delivery to raising the price of stamps.
In July 2011, 63% were all for the Postal Service’s plan to cut mail delivery to five days a week to reduce its budget losses.
By April of last year, 75% thought it was a better idea to reduce mail delivery to five days a week than to have the federal government provide additional financial support to the Postal Service.
(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.

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                            February 7, 2013Voters Blame Humans More Than Sun for Global Warming
A recent United Nations report acknowledges that solar activity may have a bigger impact on climate change than previously thought. Most voters agree that activity on the Sun is likely to have an impact on the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, but even more think human activity is a likely factor.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 60% of Likely Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that the level of activity on the Sun – including solar flares and sun spots – has an impact on the long-term heating and cooling of the Earth’s atmosphere. Only slightly more (66%) think it's likely human activity has a similar long-term impact.
But while these findings include 30% who feel solar activity is Very Likely to have an impact on the atmosphere's temperature, 41% think human activity is Very Likely to be a factor.
Twenty-one percent (21%) of voters believe activity on the Sun is not likely to have an impact on the long-term heating and cooling of the Earth's atmosphere, with five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twenty-six percent (26%) don’t see human activity as a likely factor, including nine percent (9%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided about solar activity, compared to seven percent (7%) when it comes to human activity. (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 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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                            February 7, 2013Voters Want Foreign Policy Focused on Protecting America First
A third of U.S. voters believe President Obama’s foreign policy tends to blame America first, while a slightly larger number thinks congressional Republicans instinctively send Americans first to resolve international conflicts. Voters overwhelmingly want a policy that protects the United States first.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the president’s foreign policy is designed to protect America first. Thirty-one percent (31%) think his policy is to blame America first. Only eight percent (8%) believe he is willing to send Americans first.  (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 31-February 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.
February 7, 2013Tough Times for California Bashers By Froma Harrop
Something about California sets conservative teeth on edge. In the Republican manual, liberal spending priorities married to an activist government cohabiting with a hedonistic culture can lead only to failure.

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                            February 7, 2013Voters Rate Spending, Job Creation Higher in Importance Than Gun Control
Voters rate government spending and job creation as far more important issues than gun control, but the Political Class disagrees. Rasmussen Reports has been asking voters to rate the importance of 10 core issues in surveys for years, but given news developments, we’ve now added five more issues to that list – job creation, the environment, government spending, issues affecting small business and gun control.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Likely U.S. Voters consider government spending a Very Important issue. (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 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.
February 7, 2013At last, Republicans Make Their Case to Main Street By Michael Barone
The House Republicans, in serious trouble with public opinion as they blinked facing the "fiscal cliff" over New Year's, seem suddenly to be playing a more successful game -- or rather, games -- an inside game and an outside game.
The inside game can be described by the Washington phrase "regular order." What that means in ordinary American English is that you proceed according to the rules.

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                            February 6, 201339% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction
For the second week in a row, 39% 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, February 3.
The latest finding is unchanged from the previous week, the highest level measured so far this year. Still, confidence is down from 43% the week prior to President Obama’s reelection, the highest level measured in over five years of weekly tracking. This time last year, only 29% 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 3,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen January 28-February 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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                            February 6, 201334% Expect Lower Unemployment in a Year
One-in-three adults now expects unemployment to be lower a year from today, the highest level of optimism in nearly two years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults expect lower unemployment rates in a year, up from 30% in December and the highest finding since January 2011.  Thirty percent (30%) think unemployment will be higher in a year, down from December’s all-time high of 43%. Just as many (31%) think the unemployment level will remain about the same, up eight points from the prior survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Play this week’s Rasmussen Challenge! Answers due by 11:59pm ET on Feb. 6, 2013.
(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 February 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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                            February 6, 2013Obama Earns Mixed Marks on Taxes, Spending
Voters give President Obama mixed reviews when it comes to taxes and government spending but think he's doing a slightly better job on the revenue side.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the president’s handling of issues related to taxes as good or excellent, while 39% give him a poor rating in this area. 
Similarly, 39% consider his handling of government spending to be good or excellent, but 45% think he’s doing a poor job. (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 31-February 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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                            February 6, 201343% View Sales Tax As Fairest Kind of Tax
Americans tend to consider a sales tax the fairest kind of tax and are least happy with income and property taxes.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults, when given four chief types of taxation, view a sales tax as the one that is most fair. Twenty-six percent (26%) rate an income tax as fairest, while six percent (6%) feel that way about property taxes and 5% consider a payroll tax the most fair. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Play this week’s Rasmussen Challenge! Answers due by 11:59pm ET on Feb. 6.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 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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                            February 6, 2013Most Believe Political Leaders Put U.S. Troops At Risk Too Often
Americans continue to believe that our nation’s elected politicians favor a far more interventionist foreign policy than the public supports.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters believe our political leaders send U.S. soldiers into harm’s way too often. Just five percent (5%) think the policy makers don’t use the nation’s military might often enough. Twenty-seven percent (27%) believe the balance is about right. (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 31-February 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.
February 6, 2013Ban This! Ban That! Ban This and That! By John Stossel
I like to bet on sports. Having a stake in the game, even if it's just five bucks, makes it more exciting. I also like playing poker. "Unacceptable!" say politicians in much of America. "Gambling sometimes leads to 'addiction,' destitute families!"
Well, it can.
So politicians ban it. It's why we no longer see a poker game in the back of bars. Half the states even ban poker between friends -- though they rarely enforce that.

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                            February 5, 2013Just 15% Think Today’s Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents
Optimism about the future of today’s children continues to hover around all-time lows. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 15% of American Adults believe today’s children will be better off than their parents, but 61% disagree. Twenty-four percent (24%) 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 January 30-31, 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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                            February 5, 201356% Support Right to Choose Your Own Social Security and Medicare Retirement Age
Most voters continue to believe Americans should be able to choose their own Social Security and Medicare retirement age, but support is down from two years ago. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, as long as they are able to cover the cost of their decision, people should have the right to pick their own Social Security and Medicare retirement age. Those who want to retire earlier could pay more in Social Security taxes now. Those who would prefer lower taxes today could pay less in taxes and retire later. Twenty-four percent (24%) don’t think Americans should have that option, while another 19% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Play this week’s Rasmussen Challenge! Answers due by 11:59pm ET on Feb. 6.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 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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                            February 5, 201311% Say U.S. Should Be World’s Policeman
Very few voters think the United States should take on the responsibility of ensuring peace and democracy in the world, a view that has changed little over the years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% of voters think the United States should be the world’s policeman, virtually unchanged from findings in 2011 and 2009. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree, but 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 January 29-30, 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.