Business

42% Owe Less Money Than A Year Ago

Americans are a lot less in debt than they were a year ago, but their outlook on interest rates hasn’t changed much.

Forty-two percent (42%) of U.S. Adults now say they owe less money than they did 12 months ago. That's up from 33% last month and the highest finding in regular surveys since April 2009. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just half as many (21%) say they owe more than they did a year ago, while 33% say their level of debt is about the same. (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 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

56% Think Harder, Smarter Workers Make More Money

Just half (50%) of American Adults believe that someone who works hard and meets their responsibilities generally gets ahead in the United States today. But slightly more think those who work like that make more money.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% do not believe that those who work hard and meet their responsibilities get ahead. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 February 13-14, 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.

37% Are Very Concerned About Inflation

Most Americans remain concerned about inflation, but slightly fewer adults express strong concern.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 72% of U.S. Adults are at least somewhat concerned about inflation. That includes 37% who are Very Concerned, down from 41% a month ago and the lowest level of strong concern measured since December 2011. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not concerned about inflation, but that includes just five percent (5%) who are Not At All Concerned. (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 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

Lower-Income Americans Want Opportunity for All

During the 2012 election, Republicans developed a makers vs. takers theme epitomized by Mitt Romney’s infamous comments about the so-called 47%. New polling data suggests one of the reasons the line backfired is that lower-income voters are primarily interested in opportunities.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of lower-income voters think it’s Very Important for our economic system to provide everybody with an opportunity to succeed. For this analysis, “lower-income” is defined as less than $30,000 a year. (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.

55% Favor Cuts Over More Spending on Education, Clean Energy, Infrastructure

President Obama in his State of the Union address Tuesday night called for new government spending on infrastructure, clean energy and education. While pluralities of voters believe those proposals would help the economy, most think spending cuts would help the economy more. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters think cutting government spending would do more to help the economy than increasing government spending on infrastructure, clean energy and education projects. Thirty-six percent (36%) believe increased spending in those areas would help the economy more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 12-13, 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.

48% Are Confident In U.S. Banking System, 45% Are Not

Though their confidence in the banking system remains mixed, fewer adults are now concerned about losing their money due to a banking failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the banking system, while nearly as many (45%) lack that confidence. This includes 11% who are Very Confident in the banking system and 12% who are Not At All Confident. (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 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 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.

51% Fear Government Won’t Help Economy; 64% Want Spending Cuts

More voters than ever are worried the government is not doing enough to help the struggling economy, but they continue to believe spending cuts are the best course of action. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters say what worries them more is that the federal government will not do enough in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems. Thirty-seven percent (37%) take the opposite view and are more worried the government will do too much in response to the bad economy. Twelve percent (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 February 8-9, 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.

60% Believe Letting Entrepreneurs Get Rich is Good for Economy

Americans overwhelmingly believe that it’s not only fair for entrepreneurs to get rich, it’s good for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 86% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is fair for those who build very successful companies to get very rich. Only 10% see it as unfair. Those figures include 56% who see such rewards as Very Fair and two percent (2%) who say they’re Not at All Fair. (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.

46% Say Deficit Should Be Reduced By Spending Cuts Alone

A plurality (46%) of Likely U.S. Voters thinks the long-term plan for reducing the federal deficit should be based on spending cuts only, but nearly as many (41%) would rather see a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes.

Just eight percent (8%) believe the long-term budget deficit should be reduced by simply raising taxes, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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.

67% Say Private Sector Employees Work Harder Than Government Workers

Americans continue to believe those in the private sector work harder for less money and have less job security than government workers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 67% say employees in the private sector work harder than government workers do.  Only seven percent (7%) think the opposite is true, but 25% 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 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.

49% 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.

30% 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.

34% 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.

43% 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.

Just 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.

49% Think They Personally Pay More Than Their Fair Share in Taxes

Half of Americans still think they pay more than they should in taxes and question the fairness of the current tax system.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults believe that, compared to people who make more or less than they do, they pay more than their fair share of taxes. Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree and don’t think they pay more than their fair share. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Play this week’s Rasmussen Challenge! Answers due by 11:59pm ET on Feb. 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 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.

49% Say Wealthy Americans Pay Less Than Fair Share in Taxes

Americans are less likely to think wealthy taxpayers aren’t paying their fair share, but most still believe the middle class pays a larger share of its income in taxes than the wealthy do.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 24% of U.S. Adults believe wealthy Americans pay their fair share in taxes. Twenty-one percent (21%) think wealthy Americans pay more than their fair share in taxes, while half (49%) feel they pay less than their fair share. (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 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.

53% Expect Housing Market to Take More Than Three Years to Recover

Most Americans (53%) still expect housing prices to take more than three years to fully recover from the 2008 downturn. That's consistent with findings since last June.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults think it will take three years or less for housing prices to recover, with four percent (4%) who see full recovery within a year. That's in line with attitudes in December but slightly more optimistic than Americans had been for several months prior to that.  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 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.

New Low: 39% Expect Stronger Economy Five Years From Now

Fewer Americans than ever expect the U.S. economy to be stronger in five years, while the number who think it will be stronger 12 months from now is little changed from findings over the past three years. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 39% of American Adults think the economy will be stronger in five years. That's down from 44% in December and the first time this finding has fallen below the 40% mark in four years of regular surveying. In February of last year, 47% predicted that the economy would be stronger in five years' time. In January 2009, 62% felt that way.

Thirty-one percent (31%) now expect the economy to be weaker in five years, compared to 21% in February 2012. Twelve percent (12%) think the economy will remain about the same, while 18% 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 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.

48% Think Federal Budget Can Be Balanced Without Tax Hikes

Nearly half (48%) of Americans still believe it is possible to balance the federal budget without raising taxes.