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November 28, 2012Legalize Insider Trading By John Stossel
Insider trading leads the news again, casting a cloud over Steven Cohen's SAC Capital Advisors $14 billion hedge fund.
The SEC charged Mathew Martoma, who used to manage a SAC Capital division, with using inside information about tests on an Alzheimer's drug to trade stock of the company working on it.
The media love this stuff. I imagine reporters sitting around saying: "The SEC finally will punish greedy Wall Street! These tycoons rig the game -- cheating is how they acquire $14 billion -- and now noble government prosecutors will bring justice."

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                            November 28, 201257% Think U.S. Should Stay Out of Political Unrest in Egypt
Voters are much more pessimistic about the government changes in Egypt brought about by the Arab Spring protests, but most believe the United States should stay out of the growing political unrest there.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters feel the United States should leave the situation in Egypt alone. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% think America should get more involved in the Egyptian political situation, while 25% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET tonight.
(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 November 26-27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            November 28, 201264% Think $4-a-Gallon Gas Likely in the Near Future
Gas prices continue to fluctuate like a bouncing ball, with most Americans now saying they are paying less or about the same amount for a gallon of gas as they were this summer. But most also think higher prices are coming soon.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 39% of American Adults think they are paying more for a gallon of gas compared to six months ago. Thirty-one percent (31%) say they are paying less now, while 26% say the price of gallon of gas is about the same now as back then. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET tonight.
(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 November 20, 2012 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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                            November 27, 201268% Prefer 'Merry Christmas' Over 'Happy Holidays'
Most Americans still prefer signs in stores that say “Merry Christmas” rather than ones with “Happy Holidays.”
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults prefer Merry Christmas. Just 23% like Happy Holidays instead. (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 November 11-12, 2012 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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                            November 27, 201234% Have Favorable Opinion of Federal Government
A huge and fundamental perception gap about the federal government has opened along party lines.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democratic voters have a favorable opinion of the federal government. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Republicans offer an unfavorable assessment of the feds.
As for those not affiliated with either major party, the numbers are 28% favorable and 73% unfavorable. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            November 27, 201247% Have Started Their Holiday Shopping
It looks like the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales may have pushed Americans into being a little more generous in their gift giving this year.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults have now started their holiday shopping. Fifty percent (50%) still have not. (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 November 25-26, 2012 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.
November 27, 2012How to Kill Social Security, With a Smile By Froma Harrop
Conservatives never much liked Social Security. It's a wildly popular government program that's totally solvent until 2033. It will be easily fixable and by then may not need fixing at all. Doesn't quite fit with the government-can't-do-anything-right talking point.

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                            November 27, 201265% Favor Across-the-Board Spending Cuts
Voters continue to like the idea of across-the-board cuts in federal government spending and are notably less enthusiastic if the defense budget is exempted.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters think thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government as the nation searches for solutions to the budget crisis. Just 20% disagree, although another 15% are undecided. (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 November 25, 2012 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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                            November 26, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 45%, Republicans 40%
Democrats continue to lead Republicans by five points on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the second week in a row, this time for the week ending November 25, 2012.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% 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.
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge. 
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from November 19-21 and on November 25, 2012. 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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                            November 26, 201250% Expect Health Care System To Get Worse Over Next Two Years
While a sizable number of U.S. voters believe today’s health care system is in good shape, half expect it to get worse in the coming years. The partisan differences on the issue are significant.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely Voters rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent, including just nine percent (9%) who give it an excellent rating. Nineteen percent (19%) rate the current health care system 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 November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            November 26, 201248% Think New Tax Money Will Go to New Programs, Not Deficit Reduction
Voters are a little less suspicious of how new tax revenues may be used. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters continues to believe that if Congress and the president raise taxes to reduce the federal deficit, they are likely to use the money for new government programs instead. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and believe new tax money raised to reduce the deficit will be used for that purpose. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 November 25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.
November 26, 2012States Choose Own Paths With One-party Governments By Michael Barone
In Washington, Americans have two-party government, with a Democratic president and Senate and a Republican House. We had it before November's election and will have it again for the next two years.
Looking back from 2014, we will have had two-party government for most of the preceding two decades, for six years of Bill Clinton's presidency, three and a half years of George W. Bush's and four years of Barack Obama's.
But in most of the 50 states, American voters seem to have opted for something very much like one-party government.
Starting next month, Americans in 25 states will have Republican governors and Republicans in control of both houses of the state legislatures. They aren't all small states, either. They include about 53 percent of the nation's population.

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                            November 26, 201244% Say U.S. Winning War on Terror
Confidence that the United States is winning the war on terror is down to its lowest level in over a year.  Voters also continue to strongly believe America should not send troops overseas unless there is a major national security concern. 
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely Voters believe the United States is winning the war on terror, while 22% think the terrorists are winning.  Another 24% say neither side has the advantage.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on November 20, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 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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                            November 25, 201252% Say Buying A Home Family’s Best Investment
Most Americans think buying a home is still a family's best investment, but they don’t think now’s a good time to sell.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment a family can make. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree, while 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2012 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.
November 24, 2012Bobo and a Bigfoot Skeptic, Over Drinks By Froma Harrop
Forgive me, Bobo, but I do not believe in Bigfoot. Nevertheless, it was a delight spending a Saturday afternoon with you -- the sasquatch hunter from Animal Planet's "Finding Bigfoot" -- in, of all places, a midtown Manhattan bar. Most pleasant was your welcoming embrace of one rejecting the existence of the apelike hominid you say inhabits the forests of North America.

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                            November 24, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - For The Week Ending November 24, 2012
Americans have a grimmer view of the economy since President Obama was elected, although it hasn’t made a dent in their holiday shopping. Many seem more accepting, too, of higher taxes in the future.
Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults now believe the economy will be weaker in a year's time. That's a 27-point jump from October and the lowest finding since September of last year. Thirty-six percent (36%) predict the economy will be weaker five years from now, the highest level of pessimism in nearly four years.
The increase in pessimism comes from Republicans and those not affiliated with either major political party. Just before President Obama was reelected, Republicans were evenly divided as to whether the economy would be better or worse a year from now. Today, only 11% of Republicans believe the economy will be stronger in a year.  An overwhelming 74% in the GOP believe it will be worse.

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                            November 24, 2012Only 16% Think Today’s Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents
Views about the future for America's children and about economic opportunity in this country are hovering near all-time lows.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 16% of American Adults believe today’s children will be better off than their parents, the standard past generations have set as their goal. Sixty-five percent (65%) don’t think that goal will be reached. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 2,000 Adults was conducted on November 15-16 and 19, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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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                            November 23, 201215% of America Is Shopping Today, 11% Are Already Done
The holiday shopping season keeps starting earlier and earlier.
This year, 11% of Americans had finished the gift-buying before Black Friday, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up from seven percent (7%) who finished shopping early a year ago. The day after Thanksgiving is often considered the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Given the holiday week, there will be no Rasmussen Challenge  this week. The contest will resume on Tuesday, November 27.
(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. 
This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 20, 2012 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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                            November 23, 201218% Plan To Travel This Holiday Weekend
The Thanksgiving weekend is one of the biggest travel times of the year, but for most Americans, it’s still a stay-at-home holiday.
Nearly one-out-of-five Adults (18%) are planning to travel away from home this Thanksgiving, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-seven percent (77%) are definitely not traveling, but five percent (5%) still haven’t made up their minds. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Given the holiday week, there will be no Rasmussen Challenge  this week. The contest will resume on Tuesday, November 27.
(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. 
This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 20, 2012 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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                            November 23, 2012Respecting Voters Matters More Than Policy By Scott Rasmussen
The Republican Party has won a majority of the popular vote just once in the last six elections. That dismal track record followed a party revival in the 1980s, when Ronald Reagan led the GOP to three straight popular vote majorities.