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September 4, 2013

38% Oppose Raising Federal Debt Ceiling

Voters expect Congress and President Obama to reach an agreement to raise the government’s debt ceiling by October 1, but they’re evenly divided over whether that’s a good idea.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s at least somewhat likely that the debt ceiling will be raised before the federal government begins defaulting on its debts. This includes 44% who feel it’s Very Likely. Just 13% say it’s not very or Not At All Likely that the debt ceiling will be raised in time. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 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.

September 4, 2013

25% Say U.S. Job Market Better Than Year Ago, 31% Say Worse

Americans are more pessimistic about the U.S. job market than they've been all year. 

Only 25% of American Adults now believe the job market is better than it was a year ago, down from 29% in late June but comparable to findings a year ago. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% believe the job market is worse today than it was a year ago, a five-point jump from 26% in June and the highest finding since December. In August of last year, though, 44% thought the job market was worse. Forty percent (40%) now say the job market's about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The surveys of 1,000 Adults each were conducted on September 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error for each survey 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.

September 1, 2013

44% Have Favorable View of Unions, 45% Unfavorable

Americans continue to have closely divided views of organized labor, but there's a much clearer difference of opinion between Republicans and Democrats.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable impression of labor unions, but that includes just 14% with a Very Favorable opinion.  Forty-five percent (45%) view labor unions unfavorably, with 24% who have a Very Unfavorable impression of them.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 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.

August 27, 2013

49% Say Buying A Home Is A Family’s Best Bet

Only half of Americans still see purchasing a house as a family’s best investment, but the belief that now is a good time to be a seller is up. 

Forty-nine percent (49%) of American Adults think buying a home is the best investment most families can make, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, while nearly as many (23%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 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.

August 25, 2013

56% Expect Higher Interest Rates In a Year

Most Americans continue to expect higher interest rates next year as the number who say they are paying higher rates than last year is at a recent high.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think interest rates will be higher in a year, the highest level of pessimism in over two years. From July 2009 to early May 2011, this finding generally remained in the mid-to-high 50s but stayed in the 40s over the past couple years.

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Most Americans continue to expect higher interest rates next year as the number who say they are paying higher rates than last year is at a recent high.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think interest rates will be higher in a year, the highest level of pessimism in over two years. From July 2009 to early May 2011, this finding generally remained in the mid-to-high 50s but stayed in the 40s over the past couple years. 

Just five percent (5%) expect lower rates in a year, while one-in-four (26%) expects them to stay about the same, the lowest since February 2011.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)  

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 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.

August 23, 2013

59% Say Their Home is Worth More Now Than When They Bought It

Most homeowners are confident that they know what their home is worth in today’s market, and more now say it’s worth more than when they bought it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 79% of homeowners are at least somewhat confident that they know how much their home is worth, including 41% who are Very Confident. That’s up from 75% in June, the lowest level of confidence to date.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 719 U.S. Homeowners nationwide was conducted on August 20-21, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

August 23, 2013

80% Are Paying More For Groceries Than a Year Ago

Most Americans are still paying more for groceries than they were last year and remain concerned about inflation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 80% of American Adults now say they are paying more for groceries today than they were a year ago. Only 12% say they are paying less. These findings have changed little in recent years, though the number reporting higher grocery bills is at its lowest since July 2010. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 18-19, 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.

August 22, 2013

51% Say Value Of Their Home Worth More Than They Still Owe

Just half of homeowners believe their home is worth more than what they still owe on it, but confidence in the short-term housing market remains higher than it has been in several years.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of U.S. homeowners say the value of their house is worth more than the amount they still owe on their mortgage, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That finding is down from 55% a month ago. Thirty-six percent (36%) say they owe more than what their home is worth, while 13% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 719 U.S. Homeowners nationwide was conducted on August 20-21, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

August 21, 2013

44% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking System

Fewer Americans are confident in the banking industry this month, and more are worried about losing their money due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including just eight percent (8%) who are Very Confident. Fifty-one percent (51%) are not confident in the stability of the industry, including 13% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 18-19, 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.

August 20, 2013

71% Say Government Helps Politically Connected Businesses, Hurts Those That Are Not

Most voters do not believe there is a level playing field when it comes to businesses that have ties to the political elite. Seventy-one percent (71%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the federal government helps businesses that are politically connected and hurts those that are not, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Just 13% think the government treats all businesses the same, while 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 August 13-14, 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.

August 15, 2013

74% Oppose Federal Plan to Make Neighborhoods More Diverse

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to make the nation’s neighborhoods more diverse, but Americans strongly oppose this idea. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 10% of American Adults think the federal government should do more to make sure most, if not all, neighborhoods in the United States are more racially and ethnically diverse.  Seventy-four percent (74%) disagree, while 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 10-11, 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.

August 15, 2013

40% Agree with Government Challenge of US Airways-American Merger

Voters are closely divided over the U.S. Justice Department’s decision to contest the merger of US Airways and American Airlines, but nearly half predict airline fares will go up if the merger goes through. Forty percent (40%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the Justice Department’s decision to challenge the merger, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree with that challenge, but a sizable 28% are not sure about it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 13-14, 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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August 5, 2013

65% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Only a third of all Americans believe the economy is fair to the middle class, but working Americans strongly believe they fall in that income group.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults finds that 65% consider themselves middle class, with another 18% who say they are upper middle class. Just four percent (4%) see themselves as wealthy.  Thirteen percent (13%) regard themselves as among the working poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 623 Employed Adults was conducted on July 31 – August 1, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

August 4, 2013

Most Americans Think There Are Jobs Available

Most Americans continue to believe there are jobs available for those who want them but remain pessimistic about the road to success.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults believe it is possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. Thirty-four percent (34%) do not think it’s possible for anyone to find work, but 14% are not sure. This is in line with findings since April and reflects more consistent optimism than Americans have expressed about the job market in several years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 25-26, 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.

August 2, 2013

22% Say Stock Market Will Be Stronger In A Year

Despite big gains made in the stock market in July, few Americans believe the market will be higher in the near future.  A plurality also still thinks housing prices will take more than three years to recover.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 22% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher than it is today a year from now.  Just as many (23%) disagree and believe the market will be lower. Thirty-eight percent (38%) think it will be about the same.  Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on July 25-26, 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

August 2, 2013

29% Are Looking For Work Outside Their Current Company

More American workers are looking for employment outside of their current companies, but they remain closely divided as to whether staying or leaving offers them the best career opportunities.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Working Americans are now looking for work outside of their current company, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up nine points from last month and is the highest finding measured since March 2011. Sixty-one percent (61%), however, are not looking for a job outside of their current company. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 623 Employed Adults was conducted on July 31 – August 1, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

August 1, 2013

33% Say Economy Will Be Stronger In A Year, 39% Say Weaker

Americans remain slightly more confident in long-term economic recovery than in the short-term. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults believe the U.S. economy will be stronger in a year, generally in line with findings over the past couple years.  But slightly more (39%) still feel the economy will be weaker one year from now, showing little change from last month but down from a recent high of 50% in November.  Seventeen percent (17%) expect it to stay about the same.  Eleven percent (11%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 25-26, 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.

August 1, 2013

74% Oppose Making Minimum Wage Different for Different Age Groups

Americans recognize that more minimum-wage fast-food jobs are now being held by workers who are over 20, but while they favor raising the minimum wage, they don’t think that wage should be even higher for those who are older. 

Just 33% of American Adults believe the average age range of employees in fast-food restaurants is under 20. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% recognize that the average age of these workers is now 20 to 29. Nine percent (9%) think it’s even higher.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 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.

July 31, 2013

61% Favor Raising Minimum Wage to $10.10 An Hour

Most Americans don't think it's possible to live on the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and favor raising it dramatically. They also believe the minimum wage should continue to rise to keep up with inflation even though they don't necessarily see that as good for the economy.

Just 10% of American Adults believe the current minimum wage is a wage someone can live on, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-seven percent (77%) say the minimum wage is not enough to live on. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 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.

July 30, 2013

56% Say More Competition, Less Regulation Better For Financial System

Most voters still view the federal bailouts of the financial industry negatively and continue to believe less government is better for the nation’s banking system. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters  think that the federal government’s bailouts of the financial industry were bad for the United States. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think the bailouts were good for the country, while 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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