Business

Voters Like Coal Industry More Than the EPA

Voters view the U.S. coal industry more favorably than the Environmental Protection Agency and are closely divided when asked if the Obama administration’s ultimate goal is to kill that industry.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Likely U.S. Voters view the U.S. coal industry at least somewhat favorably. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 29% hold an unfavorable opinion of it. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

85% Think Christian Photographer Has Right to Turn Down Same-Sex Wedding Job

Americans draw a fine line when it comes to respecting each other’s rights. If a Christian wedding photographer who has deeply held religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage is asked to work a same-sex wedding ceremony, 85% of American Adults believe he has the right to say no. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only eight percent (8%) disagree even as the courts are hearing such challenges. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 7-8, 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.

Americans Think Bar Owners, Landlords Should Be Able to Pick Their Customers

Most Americans believe bar owners and landlords should have the freedom to regulate their establishments to attract a specific type of customer. If the owner of a bar wanted to avoid some of the problems associated with college and under-age drinking, 53% of American Adults think that owner should have the right to allow only people 25 and older into his or her bar. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% disagree, while 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 7-8, 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% Think It's Possible for Anyone to Find A Job

Most Americans continue to think it’s possible for anyone who wants to work to find a job in this country, but they also remain pessimistic about the future for today's children. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults believe it’s possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. That's little changed from late April but matches a high reached only once before in over four years of regular surveying. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on June 27-28, 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.

33% Expect Stronger Economy A Year From Now, 41% Weaker

Americans continue to have more hope for the economy five years from now than in the short-term.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 33% think the U.S. economy will be stronger in a year's time, generally in line with surveys for the past several months. Forty-one percent (41%) still believe the economy will be weaker one year from now, up slightly from 38% in March but down from a recent high of 50% last November.  Twenty percent (20%) expect the economy to stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

13% Say Federal Government Should Hire Long-Term Unemployed

Americans continue to believe the government should minimize its role in the long-term unemployment situation. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 13% of American Adults say if people cannot find work after an extended period of time, the federal government should hire them.  Eleven percent (11%) believes their unemployment benefits should be extended indefinitely. But 31% feel the government should only pay for their retraining, while 34% think the government should do nothing at all for the long-term unemployed. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

71% Say Private Sector Employees Work Harder Than Government Employees

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

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults think workers in the private sector work harder than government workers, the highest finding to date. That’s up from 67% in February. Just five percent (5%) think government employees work harder, but one-in-four (24%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

66% Know Someone Out of Work and Looking For Employment

The bad news is that two-out-of-three Americans still know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. The good news is that the percentage of these Americans is at its lowest level in several years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. That's down three points from 69% last month. Two years ago, 75% knew someone in this situation.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

35% Say Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House in Their Area

Even though an increasing number of Americans think now is a good time to sell a home in their area, belief that owning a home is a family’s best investment is down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe buying a home is the best investment a family can make. That’s down from 53% in May and is the lowest level measured since July 2012. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think a home is not a family's best investment, and just as many (28%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 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.

24% Say Their Home is Worth Less Than When They Bought It

Most homeowners still say their home is worth more than when they bought it, but one-in-four now say it’s worth less.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of U.S. Homeowners say that, compared to when they bought it, their home is now worth more. That’s down from 58% in April which tied the highest level measured since October 2011. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% say their home is now worth less than when they bought it, up from 20% in April and the highest since October. Eighteen percent (18%) say their home is worth about the same as when they bought it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 708 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

37% Expect Their Home To Be Worth More A Year From Now

The number of homeowners who say their home is worth more than what they still owe is down this month, but confidence in the short-term housing market remains higher than it has been in several years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 50% of U.S. homeowners now say their home is worth more than they still owe on their mortgage. That’s down 10 points from 60% in May which was the highest finding so far this year and tied a high reached only once before in four years of regular surveying.   Thirty-three percent (33%) still say they owe more than their home is worth, generally consistent with regular surveying since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 708 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

65% Think Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy

Concern that the government will do too much to help the economy is at its highest level since last fall.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters are more worried that the federal government will do too much rather than not enough in reacting to the nation’s economic problems. That's up from 39% in March and the highest level of concern since September.  Slightly more (48%) still fear that the government won’t do enough to help the economy.  (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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.

42% Are Somewhat Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation Down

The Federal Reserve Board issued a more optimistic analysis of the economy than expected earlier this week, but Americans still don't have much confidence in the Fed to keep inflation under control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 74% of Americans remain concerned about inflation. That includes 39% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not very or Not At All Concerned. This is generally in line with attitudes for the past year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 15-16, 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% Predict Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Most Americans say they are paying about the same amount in interest rates compared to last year, but half now expect those rates to rise over the next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% of American adults say they are paying higher interest rates than they were last year, the lowest level measured since October.  Nearly as many (14%) are paying lower interest rates compared to last year, while 62% are paying about the same amount.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)  

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 15-16, 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% Are Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the stability of U.S. banks is back over 50% again.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 53% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, although that includes just 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-eight percent (48%) don’t share that confidence, with 10% 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 June 15-16, 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.

66% Feel Their Company Values Them As An Employee

Many working Americans would recommend their company as a good place to work, which may be in part because most feel their company values them as an employee.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-thirds of Employed Americans (66%) feels like their company values them as an employee. Twenty percent (20%) do not think their company values them, but 13% 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 613 Employed Adults was conducted on June 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.

71% Would Recommend Their Company as a Good Place to Work

Most working Americans like their jobs, so it’s no surprise that they’d recommend their company as a good place to work.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Employed Americans would recommend their company, while just 17% would not. 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 613 Employed Adults was conducted on June 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.

20% of Workers Have Been Turned Down For A Job in Past Year

One-in-five working Americans say they've been passed over for a job in the past year, but nearly as many say they’ve turned down a job offer in the same period.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 20% of Employed Adults have been turned down for a job in the last 12 months. At the same time, 17% say they have turned down a job offer in the past year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 602 Employed Adults was conducted on June 7-8, 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.

76% Are Satisfied With Their Current Job

Most working Americans have been with the same company for at least five years and remain satisfied with their current employment situation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of Employed Adults are at least somewhat satisfied with their current job, including 31% who are Very Satisfied.  Twenty-two percent (22%) are unsatisfied, but that includes just three percent (3%) who are Not At All Satisfied with their current employer.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 602 Employed Adults was conducted on June 7-8, 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.

66% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Most working Americans consider themselves part of the middle class, while the fewest in a year now view themselves as wealthy. Those who feel they are among the working poor remain at an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-thirds (66%) of Employed Adults consider themselves middle class. Just one percent (1%) now consider themselves wealthy, the lowest finding since May 2012. But 22% now describe themselves as upper middle class, the highest since then. Only eight percent (8%) regard themselves as among the working poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad:  The Rasmussen Challenge is now live!         

(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 644 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 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.