Business

New High: 70% Think Struggling Homeowners Should Downsize

More Americans than ever believe that homeowners who can’t afford their mortgage payments should downsize rather than receive assistance from the government.

Just 18% of American Adults believe that if someone can’t afford his or her mortgage payments, it’s better for the government to assist in making those payments, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy percent (70%) believe those struggling homeowners should sell their homes and buy less expensive ones. 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 Adults was conducted on May 24-25, 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.

73% Look Forward to Going to Work

Most employed Americans look favorably on the balance between work and their personal lives and generally look forward to their workday. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Working Adults rate the balance in their lives between work, family and friends as good or excellent.  Only seven percent (7%) rate this balance as poor.  (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 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 18-19, 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. 

60% Say Their Home Is Worth More Than What They Still Owe

Sixty percent (60%) of U.S. homeowners now say their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage. That’s the highest finding so far this year and ties a high reached only once before in four years of regular surveying.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% still say they owe more than their home is worth. That’s unchanged from April and nearly identical to a year ago.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 697 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on May 24-25, 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.

45% Favor Candidate Who'd Raise Taxes on the Rich Over One Opposed to Tax Hikes

Voters generally believe tax increases hurt the economy, but they’re slightly more inclined to vote for a candidate who would raise taxes only on the wealthy over one who would oppose all tax increases. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for a candidate who would raise taxes only on the rich. Forty-one percent (41%) would vote for a candidate who promised to oppose all tax hikes instead. 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 Likely Voters was conducted on May 21-22, 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.

50% Think Tax Increases Hurt Economy

Voters continue to believe raising taxes and increasing government spending are bad for the economy, but they still expect both to go up under President Obama. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of Likely U.S. Voters say that, generally speaking, increases in government spending help the economy.  Forty-seven percent (47%) believe spending increases hurt the economy. Twelve percent (12%) think they have no impact. (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 May 21-22, 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.

Working Americans Like Their Bosses, Coworkers

Most workers give their bosses top marks and feel good about the relationships they have with their coworkers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of Working Adults give their boss or supervisor good or excellent marks. Just nine percent (9%) rate their boss as poor. (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 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.

73% Expect to Pay More for Groceries

The Federal Reserve Board continues to work hard at keeping the U.S. inflation rate around two percent, but most Americans lack confidence in the Fed's efforts and still say they are spending more on groceries compared to a year ago. Most also expect those prices to keep going up.

Eighty-three percent (83%) of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries now than they were a year ago, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  This figure shows little change from most surveys conducted since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 16-17, 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% Work More Than 40 Hours A Week

A sizable number of Americans work more than 40 hours a week, and only half of adults are now happy with the hours they work.

Just 31% of working Americans now say they work a 40-hour week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-three percent (33%) say they put in more than 40 hours a week on the job, including 11% who work more than 50 hours weekly.

Thirty-four percent (34%) of employed adults work less than 40 hours weekly, with six percent (6%) who put in less than 20 hours on the job. (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 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 18-19, 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.

91% Would Stay At Job They Love Over One That Pays More

The old adage, “Choose the job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” is one many American workers take seriously. An overwhelming majority would stick with a job they love over one they hate that offers a bigger paycheck.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 91% of Employed Adults say that, if given the choice, they would stay with the job they love over another job they’d hate that pays 10% more money. Just nine percent (9%) would opt for the job that pays more. (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 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.

44% Think Interest Rates Will Be Higher In A Year

Few Americans say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago, but many expect that to change moving forward.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults believe interest rates will be higher a year from today. Just seven percent (7%) expect rates to be lower, while 37% say they’ll be about the same. Eleven percent (11%) 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 May 16-17, 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.

64% Are Generally Happy To Say Where They Work

Most Americans let their friends know where they work and are happy to tell them.

When they meet someone new who wants to know more about them, 61% of working Americans typically say something about their job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% don’t mention their job. (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 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.

48% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the U.S. banking system is up from last month but still well below where it was five years ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes only 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-eight percent (48%) lack confidence in the banking system, with 12% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (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 May 16-17, 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.

58% Would Keep Working After Receiving Small Fortune

Many Americans rushed to buy lottery tickets late last week as the Powerball jackpot reached $590.5 million, one of the largest in history. But most say that even if they received a small fortune, they’d keep working.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% of Employed Adults would continue to work even if they were left a small fortune so that they could make the same amount of money without working. That includes 41% who would stay at their current job and another 17% who would find a new job. Thirty-five percent (35%) would quit working and retire. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.

Most Spend Little or No Social Time With Work Colleagues

Working adults seem to enjoy a life away from the job even when they're out with their co-workers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Employed Adults rarely or never get together with co-workers for social events, while another 36% say they do so only occasionally. Just 13% socialize with colleagues outside of the workplace at least once a month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 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.

61% Favor Requiring Retailers to Publish Where Clothes Are Made

The horrific factory collapse in Bangladesh more than two weeks ago that left more than 1,100 people dead has put the human toll of producing cheap clothing and other products back in the minds of many. While fewer than half of Americans make an effort to only buy clothes made domestically, they support requirements for apparel companies to report where their clothes are made and details about working conditions in those countries.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 61% of U.S. Adults believe all apparel retailers should be required to report or display online where their products are manufactured and what labor conditions are like in those factories. Twenty-four percent (24%) oppose this requirement. Another 16% 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 was conducted on May 10-11, 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 It's Very Fair for Successful Businessmen to Get Rich

Most voters believe it is not only fair that people who build successful companies become rich, but it also helps the economy in the process.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think letting entrepreneurs get rich helps the economy. Just 13% say it hurts the economy. Ten percent (10%) think it has no impact, and 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 Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.

37% Think Unemployment Rate Will Be Same A Year From Now

Americans express little optimism about the job market and feel more strongly these days that things are going to remain about the same.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 29% of American Adults think the unemployment rate will be lower a year from now. That’s down five points from 34% in early February, the highest level of optimism since January 2011, and more in line with views for the past couple years. Twenty-six percent (26%) expect unemployment to be higher in a year’s time, although that’s the lowest level of pessimism since last June.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) believe the unemployment rate will remain about the same. That’s up six points from three months ago and the highest number who expect unemployment to stand pat since late 2011. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

68% Say Private Sector Employees Work Harder Than Government Workers

Most Americans still believe government workers are better off than those who work in the private sector.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults think employees in the private sector work harder than government workers do.  Only nine percent (9%) feel government employees work harder, but 23% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

44% Say It’s Possible For Anyone to Work Their Way Out of Poverty

Fewer Americans now think it’s possible for anyone to work their way out of poverty in the United States, but they’re more optimistic about the possibility of finding a job than they have been all year.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults now think it is possible for anyone to work their way out of poverty, down five points from early April and the lowest finding since June 2011. Thirty-six percent (36%) do not think it’s possible, and one-in-five (20%) 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 nationwide was conducted on April 28-29, 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.

10% Think Government Should Hire Long-Term Unemployed

Americans still don't think more government hiring is the answer to the country's unemployment problems.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 10% of American Adults think the government should hire those who can't find work after an extended period of time. Fourteen percent (14%) believe their unemployment benefits should be extended indefinitely, while 28% feel the government should pay for their retraining. Thirty-four percent (34%) think the government should do nothing at all for the long-term unemployed, but that’s down from a high of 39% in December. 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 30-May 1, 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.