72% Went to a Cookout This Summer
So what did Americans do this summer?
Lifestyle
Most Recent Releases
August 29, 2011
69% Concerned About Economic Impact Of Hurricane Irene
While Hurricane Irene did less damage than originally predicted, Americans nationwide still are concerned about the hurricane’s impact on the struggling U.S. economy.
August 29, 2011
81% Following Hurricane Irene, 63% Like News Coverage
Most Americans closely followed news about Hurricane Irene as it neared our shores and give good marks to the media coverage of threatening bad weather.
August 28, 2011
35% Say They’re Overweight
While most Americans say they are not overweight now, over half admit to dieting at one point in their life.
August 27, 2011
74% Say Americans Watch Too Much TV
Earlier this month, a new study made headlines by suggesting that every hour spent watching television after age 25 will shorten a person’s lifespan by 22 minutes. While just over half of adults admit to watching TV every day or nearly everyday, they overwhelmingly believe that Americans in general watch the tube too much.
August 26, 2011
26% Say U.S. Public Schools Provide World-Class Education
While most adults agree with President Obama that a world-class education is the most important factor in the success of America’s children and status in the world, most don’t think U.S. public schools provide that level of education.
August 23, 2011
18% Predict Super Bowl Win For New England Patriots
After a contentious labor dispute between team owners and players that lasted more than 18 weeks, football is back. While the regular season doesn’t begin until September, the New England Patriots are the Super Bowl favorites heading into the 2011 season.
August 21, 2011
71% Say Too Many People Get Welfare Who Shouldn't
Americans overwhelmingly believe that the bigger problem with the welfare system in the United States is that there are too many overqualified recipients rather than not enough. Most also think legal immigrants should have to wait at least three years before being eligible for welfare benefits.
August 19, 2011
Many See Those in 'Poverty' As Not So Poor
A recent survey based on several government studies finds that many of those the federal government says are living in poverty have a decent place to live, adequate food on the table and two color TVs, among other amenities, and most Americans don't regard that as being poor.
August 19, 2011
Voters Like Government Student Loans, Frown on Pell Grants That Don’t Have To be Repaid
Government student loans are another area under the congressional budget-cutting microscope. Most voters favor their continuation for poor and middle-income students but are decidedly less enthusiastic about outright government grants for schooling that don’t need to be repaid.
August 16, 2011
75% Favor Big Cuts in Mail Delivery Rather Than Give More Money to Postal Service
Americans would rather see the U.S. Postal Service dramatically cut its workforce and reduce mail delivery to three or four days a week than have the government pour more money into the financially struggling agency.
August 11, 2011
58% Favor Sales Tax Holidays for School Shopping
There are currently 17 states that offer a “sales tax holiday” – a brief suspension of sales taxes – to encourage back-to-school shopping. Most Americans nationwide support this idea.
August 6, 2011
67% Say Economy Causing Family Stress
With the Rasmussen Consumer and Investor Indexes hovering near two-year lows and unemployment rates still in the nine percent (9%) range, it's perhaps no surprise to find that a majority of Americans say the economy is adding stress to their family.
August 4, 2011
76% Say Americans Becoming More Rude, Less Civilized
Alice Cooper said it best: “No more Mr. nice guy.”
July 29, 2011
63% Say College Degree Still A Good Investment, Younger Adults Less Convinced
Americans still believe a college degree is a helpful tool in today’s economy, but they also continue to feel life experience is more valuable.
July 28, 2011
71% Say Formal Education Key to Success in Life, Not Street Smarts
Most Americans continue to believe that what you learn inside the classroom is more valuable than what’s learned on the outside.
July 27, 2011
53% Oppose Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus
As part of the new health care law, restaurant chains with 20 or more outlets will be required to disclose nutritional information in their menus. But most Americans would rather they not.
July 26, 2011
47% Are Eating Out Less Often Than They Were Six Months Ago
Americans still prefer a home-cooked meal to one in a restaurant, and they’re eating out less than they were six months ago.
July 26, 2011
40% Favor Possible Sale of U.S. Postal Service to Lower the Deficit
The U.S. Postal Service has been struggling financially for some time, with Postmaster General Patrick Donohoe just today announcing the potential closings of nearly 3,700 offices nationwide. A growing number of Americans thinks now may be the time to sell the USPS to a private company.
July 25, 2011
60% Say This Summer Has Been Hotter Than Recent Summers
Much of the country suffered a heat wave last week, with weather advisories and warnings to avoid the heat. Most Americans noticed.
