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69% Now Describe Themselves as Middle Class

The number of working Americans who now consider themselves middle class is at its highest level in nearly four years, while the number of working poor has fallen to an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of Employed Adults now describe themselves as middle class, while an additional 19% think of themselves as upper middle class. Only three percent (3%) consider themselves wealthy, and eight percent (8%) regard themselves as the working poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 630 Employed Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 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.

20% Are Looking For Job Outside Current Company

Despite the continuing high unemployment rate, one-in-five employed Americans are now looking for work outside of their current company, even though a plurality says that staying with their present employer offers better opportunity for advancement.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 20% of Employed Adults are looking for work somewhere else, while 75% are not. Forty-seven percent (47%), though, say staying with their current company offers better opportunity for advancement than going to work elsewhere. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, and 23% are not sure.(To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 630 Employed Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 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.

Public Evenly Divided on Fiscal Cliff Deal

Voters are evenly divided in their views of the last-minute “fiscal cliff” deal reached by President Obama and Congress, but very few expect government spending to go down as a result. One-out-of-two predict taxes on the middle class will go up though.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of the deal, while 46% also disapprove. But the nays feel more strongly: These findings include just eight percent (8%) who Strongly Approve of the deal versus 25% who Strongly Disapprove. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

54% Say It’s Possible To Find Work These Days

At a time when the Rasmussen Employment Index is at its highest level since 2007, more Americans than ever believe that someone who wants to work can find a job. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults say it’s possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree, and 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 26-27, 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.

U.S. Economic Expectations Remain Stable

Despite uncertainty surrounding the "fiscal cliff" negotiations in Washington, expectations about the short- and long-term economy remain relatively unchanged from recent months.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of American Adults believe the economy will be stronger a year from now. Slightly more (39%) think the economy will be weaker in a year’s time, while 19% say it will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 26-27, 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.

54% Favor 20% Cap on Income Tax If Deductions Are Ended

Most voters favor making the first $20,000 someone earns tax free and taxing income greater than $100,000 at a 20% rate in exchange for eliminating all their personal deductions.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely U.S. Voters support a proposal that would make the first $20,000 of income earned by anyone tax free. Just 19% are opposed, while 13% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 22, 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.

No ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal? 44% Blame GOP, 36% Obama

Most voters still want President Obama and Congress to avoid the “fiscal cliff” of big tax hikes and automatic across-the-board spending cuts scheduled to kick in next Tuesday, but fewer than ever think a deal is likely. Voters tend to blame congressional Republicans more than the president for the impasse.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress and the president should stop the tax increase and spending cuts totaling more than $500 billion from going into effect on January 1. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% disagree, while 20% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

38% Favor More Regulation of U.S. Financial System

Support for more regulation of the U.S. financial system is at an all-time high, but a plurality of voters still thinks more competition is best for the markets.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 49% believe more competition and less regulation is better for the financial system than more regulation and less competition. But 38% now take the opposite view and think more regulation and less competition is the way to go. Another 13% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 20-21, 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.

Most Expect 2013 Recession With Or Without 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal

Most voters nationwide expect a recession in 2013 regardless of whether a deal is reached to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.” If a deal is reached and the December 31 fiscal cliff of big tax hikes and automatic across-the-board spending cuts is avoided, 54% of voters believe a recession is likely next year. If no deal is reached, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% think a recession is likely.

These figures include 26% who believe a recession is Very Likely with a deal and 42% who believe it is Very Likely without one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 20-21, 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.   

Just 52% Now Want to Avoid Going Over Fiscal Cliff

While the failure of House Speaker John Boehner's “Plan B” sent shudders through the stock market and Washington’s political elite, it had little impact on public expectations.

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe it is at least somewhat likely that Congress and the president will reach a deal to avert the December 31 “fiscal cliff” of big tax increases and automatic across-the-board spending cuts. The survey was conducted on Thursday and Friday night, meaning that just over half the survey was conducted after Republicans failed to find the votes for their Plan B to raise taxes on millionaires only. There was no significant change in public expectations before or after the legislative debacle.

Additionally, public expectations have changed little since Election Day. The number who think a deal is likely has stayed consistently between 49% and 51% prior to the latest results. The consistency of public opinion stands in marked contrast to the roller coaster assessments coming from “sources” in Washington. Just 17% of voters nationwide think a fiscal cliff deal is Very Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 20-21, 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.

21% Think Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House Where They Live

Twenty-one percent (21%) of American Adults think now is a good time for someone in their area to be selling a house, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's up from 16% a month ago and the highest level of confidence in the local housing market recorded in regular surveys since April 2009.  Just nine percent (9%) were that upbeat a year ago.

Interestingly, homeowners are slightly less convinced than others that now is a good time to sell.

Sixty percent (60%) of all adults disagree and still think now is not a good time to sell. Nineteen percent (19%) aren't sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 15-16, 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.

Three-Year High: 60% Think Their Home Worth More Than Mortgage

There has been a sharp increase in short-term housing market confidence over the past month.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of homeowners now believe their home is worth more than their mortgage. That’s up five points from a month ago and the highest level of confidence since October 2009. Only 33% think their home is worth less than what they owe. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 676 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on December 15-16, 2012 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.

Voters Divided Over Tax Pledge, Republicans Want It Honored

American voters are evenly divided about candidates who sign a pledge not to raise taxes. However, Republicans who are represented by a pledge signer overwhelmingly want their Congressman to honor the pledge.

Forty percent (40%) of voters nationwide would vote for a candidate who signed a pledge not to raise taxes over a candidate who refused to sign. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% would prefer the candidate who didn’t sign an anti-tax pledge.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 16-17, 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.

Confidence in Fiscal Cliff Deal Slips to 49%

As the fiscal cliff deal nears, confidence that a deal can be reached has slipped a bit. Voters still see President Obama as more willing than Congressional Republicans to accept a compromise.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 49% of Likely Voters say it’s even somewhat likely a deal will be reached. That’s down from 51% at the end of November.  Forty-five percent (45%) see a deal as unlikely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 14-15, 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.

46% Predict Higher Interest Rates A Year From Today

Most Americans think they’re paying about the same in interest rates as they were a year ago, but a plurality feel those rates will be higher a year from today.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 16% of American Adults say the interest rates they are paying now are higher than they were a year ago, while 17% say those rates are lower.  Fifty-eight percent (58%) think interest rates are about the same compared to last year.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 9-10, 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.

New High: 73% Say Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy

Half of all Americans want more government action to deal with the economy. But the action they are looking for is to cut government spending. Overall, 73% of Likely Voters nationwide believe the federal government should cut spending rather than increase it in reacting the nation’s current economic problems. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 18% are looking for an increase in spending. (To see survey question wording, click here.) That’s consistent with earlier data showing that just 19% want to see more stimulus spending at this time.

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

45% Think Right-to-Work Laws Good for a State’s Economy

Michigan’s sudden legislative decision to declare itself a right-to-work state has prompted angry protests from President Obama and organized labor, but voters by a two-to-one margin think right-to-work laws are good for a state economically.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters believe right-to-work laws are good for a state’s economy. Just half that many (22%) disagree. Seven percent (7%) think right-to-work laws have no impact. A sizable 25% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

68% Expect To Pay More for Groceries A Year From Now

Most Americans remain worried about inflation and expect to be paying even more for groceries that they are paying now. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about inflation, with 43% who are Very Concerned. Nineteen percent (19%) are not as concerned, but that includes only five percent (5%) who are Not At All Concerned.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on December 9-10, 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.

49% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Fewer than half of Americans remain confident in the stability of the nation's banks.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that includes only nine percent (9%) are Very Confident.  Nearly as many (47%) lack confidence in the banks, with 12% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 9-10, 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.

52% Think Auto Bailouts Were A Good Idea

Most voters continue to view the auto bailouts as a good move but now are evenly divided over them when told the government lost billions bailing out General Motors and Chrysler.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone report finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters think the bailouts of the auto industry were good for the United States. Thirty-six percent (36%) consider the bailouts bad for the country. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (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 December 8-9, 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.