Lifestyle

63% Oppose “Sin Taxes” on Junk Food and Soda

Support for so-called “sin taxes” on junk food and soft drinks is at its lowest level yet. Numerous cities and states are looking for revenue these days short of raising property or income taxes, and sin taxes are a popular candidate, often in the name of better public health.

But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% of American Adults support sin taxes on soda and junk food, down from 33% in March 2010.  Sixty-three percent (63%) are opposed. Nineteen percent (19%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

53% Think Recent Graduates Will Have 'Very Difficult' Time Finding A Job

One-in-four Americans has someone in the family who is graduating from high school or college this spring, and adults nationwide overwhelmingly believe it will be tough for those graduates to find a job in the current economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 89% of American Adults believe it will be at least somewhat difficult for recent graduates to find a job in today’s economy. That finding includes 53% who predict it will be Very Difficult for them to get hired. Only seven percent (7%) think it will be not very or Not At All Difficult for recent grads to find employment. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 29-30, 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.

Radio Update: On National Day of Prayer, Separation of Church and State Remains a Core Belief

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at [email protected]

37% Say Internet's Been Good for American Culture, 27% Disagree

Americans continue to regain some of the confidence they had in the Internet as a force for good, but many are still dubious about its impact on culture, journalism and politics.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of American Adults think the Internet’s impact on culture in this country has been a good one. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think it has been bad for the country, while 28% say it is neither.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 27-28, 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% Support Government-Recognized National Day of Prayer

Congress 60 years ago established the National Day of Prayer, celebrated throughout the nation today, and 68% of American Adults favor federal government recognition of the special day.

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Americans are opposed to the government recognizing a National Day of Prayer, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted May 1-2, 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 Adults Consider Both Newspapers and Internet News Reliable

Americans continue to see both newspapers and Internet news sources as reliable and aren't worried about the availability of news reporting if newspapers go out of business.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults consider the reporting from their local paper as at least somewhat reliable, including 26% who say it is Very Reliable. Just 18% do not find the reporting from their local newspaper reliable, including three percent (3%) who think it is Not At All Reliable. (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted April 27-28, 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.

Americans Prefer Coke Over Pepsi

For decades, Americans have been asking each other Pepsi or Coke.  Rasmussen Reports conducted their own version of the so-called “Pepsi Challenge”, and we found Coca-Cola is the clear favorite among American Adults. 

Seventy-three percent (73%), in fact, have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Coke.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% share an unfavorable impression of the soft drink. These figures include 34% who give Very Favorable reviews to Coke and eight percent (8%) who view it Very Unfavorably.  (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 nationwide was conducted on April 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.

66% Prefer Reading Print Newspaper To Online Version

Despite the continuing shift from print to online media over the past several years, most Americans still like to read the newspaper away from their computers.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of American Adults say they prefer reading a printed version of the newspaper, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-eight percent (28%) like reading the online version of their preferred paper instead. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted April 27-28, 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.

48% Believe Availability of Student Loans Has Driven Up Tuition Costs

Both President Obama and likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney are backing lower interest rates on some student loans, but nearly half of Americans nationwide believe the availability of student loans has driven up tuition costs for everyone. In fact, most Americans believe it’s better for students to work and attend school for a longer period of time rather than graduate in four years with loads of student debt.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that a plurality (48%) believes the availability of student loans has helped increase the cost of tuitions. Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree, but 31% more 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 nationwide was conducted on April 21-22, 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.

Manning Most Popular Quarterback in NYC

Despite the media frenzy surrounding the New York Jets’ acquisition of Tim Tebow, New Yorkers view Giants quarterback Eli Manning more favorably than his cross-town counterparts. 
 

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in New York City shows that 70% have a favorable opinion of Manning, including 38% who view him Very Favorably. Only 12% share an unfavorable opinion of the two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. Nineteen percent (19%) have no opinion of Manning. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in New York City was conducted on April 17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology.

62% Favor Government Loans for Good Students From Poor Households

President Obama is calling for an extension of low interest rates on some student loans, a proposal his Republican opponent Mitt Romney has embraced. Americans still strongly believe good students can get student loans and grants if they need them, but they're less supportive of government-backed loans for low-income students.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that if someone really wants to go to college and is academically qualified, they can get grants and student loans needed to pay for tuition. Only 21% believe that's unlikely. These figures include 25% who say it’s Very Likely and three percent (3%) who believe it’s Not At All Likely.  (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 nationwide was conducted on April 21-22, 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.

Most Prefer Cutting Mail Delivery to More Subsidies for the Postal Service

The U.S. Postal Service hopes to cut delivery to five days a week and close hundreds of post offices nationwide as major cost-cutting moves but is likely to have trouble getting the proposals through Congress this week. Most voters, however, are fine with both ideas rather than having to provide additional taxpayer money to keep the postal service afloat.  Three-out-of-four Americans (75%) would prefer the U.S. Postal Service cut mail delivery to five days a week rather than receive government subsidies to cover ongoing losses. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 20% of Adults would rather see the federal government provide additional funding to cover the agency’s losses. (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 nationwide was conducted on April 21-22, 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.

23% Will Do Something Special To Celebrate Earth Day

Today marks the 43rd annual Earth Day, and while most Americans considers the day important, they still aren’t convinced it helps raise environmental awareness.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of American Adults believe Earth Day, celebrated since 1970, is at least somewhat important. Thirty-nine percent (39%) view it as unimportant. These findings include 32% who consider Earth Day Very Important and 11% who say it’s Not At All Important. (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 national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 17-18, 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.

65% Trust Jury More Than a Judge

Americans put much more faith in a jury of their peers than a judge to determine guilt or innocence in a trial.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of American adults trust a jury more than a judge, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 21% trust a judge more to determine guilt or innocence, while 15% 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 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.

55% Think Hate Is Growing In America

Most Americans still believe hate is increasing in this country, and support for tougher prosecution of hate crimes has rebounded from a low reached late last year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults believe hate is growing in the United States. Just 23% disagree, while 22% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 17-18, 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.

33% Expect Zimmerman To Be Convicted of Murder in Trayvon Martin Case

Americans are slightly less sure that the man who shot black Florida teenager Trayvon Martin is guilty of murder but more convinced that he’ll be found guilty of that crime. However, a sizable number still remains unsure about what happened and what will happen in the days ahead.

Thirty percent (30%) of American Adults now believe George Zimmerman should be found guilty of murder, compared to 33% who felt that way just over two weeks ago. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% think Zimmerman acted in self-defense, a view held by just 15% in the previous survey. Forty-six percent (46%) are not sure, down from 55% in late March. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

58% Have Favorable Opinion of Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace, a fixture for years on CBS-TV's “60 Minutes,” passed away on Saturday, and 58% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of him, including 28% with a Very Favorable view.

A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds that just 19% regard the longtime investigative journalist unfavorably, with six percent (6%) who see him Very Unfavorably. Despite Wallace's years on television, however, nearly one-in-four adults (23%) don't know enough about him to venture any kind of opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 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.

47% Say Office Betting Pools Good for the Workplace

Americans overwhelmingly believe office betting pools for events like the NCAA basketball tournament and the Super Bowl should not be illegal, and a sizable number thinks they are good for office productivity.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of American Adults believe office pools on sporting events help productivity by improving workplace camaraderie. Twenty-three percent (23%) say gambling pools at work hurt workplace productivity, while 19% say they have no impact. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. These findings show little change from late March 2009.
(To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 5-6, 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.

36% Say There Are Too Many Competing State Lotteries

Lotto fever swept the country recently when the Mega Millions jackpot rose to a record-breaking $656 million, a prize that still has yet to be claimed. Support for state-run lotteries remains steady, but the number of Americans who say there are too many of them continues to rise.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American Adults believe there are currently too many competing state lotteries, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just nine percent (9%) say there aren’t enough. Forty-one percent (41%) think the number of lotteries is just about right. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 5-6, 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.

48% Believe Easter One of Most Important Holidays

Today is Easter, and most Americans will find a way to celebrate.

Roughly half of American adults (48%) consider Easter one of the nation's most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fourteen percent (14%) see it as one of the least important, while 37% rank it somewhere in between. (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 April 3-4, 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.