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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.)

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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.)

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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. 

47% Think Full Housing Recovery More Than Three Years Away

Americans continue to worry about the economy but remain slightly more confident in the full recovery of the housing market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults still think it will take more than three years for housing prices to fully recover from the downturn that began in 2008. But this is the second month in a row that number has dipped below the 50% mark and, generally speaking, reflects slightly more optimism than Americans have had since mid-2010. Seventeen percent (17%) think it will take the housing market three years to fully recover; 14% say two years, and six percent (6%) believe the housing market can recover in just one year. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 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. 

31% Think U.S. Economy Will Be Stronger A Year From Now

Americans continue to express little short- or long-term confidence in the U.S. economy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults think the economy will be stronger five years from today. That's up from an all-time low of 36% four weeks ago and more in line with findings for the past year. Twenty-seven percent (27%) predict that the economy will be weaker five years from now, while 17% think it will be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 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. 

30% Say Now's a Good Time To Sell A House

Belief that it's a seller's market continues to rise. 

Thirty percent (30%) of American Adults now say it’s a good time for someone in their area to sell a house, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up even further from last month's 28%, the highest finding in over four years of regular tracking. Forty-four percent (44%) still disagree, although that’s the lowest level of pessimism in surveying since 2008. One-in-four (26%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 18-19, 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. 

56% Think Bank Bailouts Were Bad for the U.S.

More than four years have passed since the federal government began bailing out troubled big banks and other financial institutions, and most voters still think those bailouts were a bad idea. 

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the financial industry bailouts were bad for the United States. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% think those bailouts were good for the country. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

58% of Homeowners Say Home is Worth More Now

The number claiming higher values on their homes ties the top level measured in more than a year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% of U.S. homeowners think their homes are worth more today than when they bought them. Twenty percent (20%) say their homes are worth less now, while the same number (20%) feel the values are about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 660 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on April 18-19, 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% Think Their Home’s Value Will Go Up In Next Year

Short-term confidence in the housing market is now at its highest level in several years, and just over half once again believe the value of their home will go up in five years. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of U.S. homeowners now think the value of their home will go up over the next year.  Seventeen percent (17%) expect that value to go down, while 43% feel it will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 660 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on April 18-19, 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.

81% Are Paying More For Groceries

Most adults continue to say they are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago, and they expect that amount to be even higher next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of American Adults are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago, down from 86% in March but generally in line with previous findings. Just 12% say their grocery bills are no higher than they were last year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

47% Predict Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Though most Americans say the interest rates they’re paying are little changed from a year ago, nearly half expect interest rates to be higher a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe interest rates will be a higher in one year. Just four percent (4%) expect rates to be lower, while 34% say they’ll be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

37% Say Most U.S. Workers Are Dishonest To Get Ahead

Fewer Americans now believe that dishonesty is a common practice used to get ahead in the workplace. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Adults say most working Americans do something dishonest to get ahead at some point in their careers, but that’s down from 52% measured last July.

Forty percent (40%) don’t think employees use dishonesty for career advancement, up from 28% in the previous survey.  Another 23% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 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.

43% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the American banking industry has once again slipped below 50%.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system. That includes only seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident. A majority (52%) now lacks confidence in the banking system, with 16% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

15% Expect Obama, Congress To Really Cut Spending

Even if Congress and President Obama reach a budget deal, voters aren’t optimistic that it will include real spending cuts.

Sometimes when politicians use the phrase “spending cuts,” they really mean just a reduction in the growth of spending. Only 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think any plan agreed to by the president and Congress will really cut federal spending. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% believe it will merely reduce the growth of future spending instead. Twenty percent (20%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

41% Feel IRS Is Not Aggressive Enough

Voters are narrowly divided in their opinions of the Internal Revenue Service on Tax Day 2013 and tend to think it’s not aggressive enough in going after tax cheats. Perhaps that helps explain why voters aren’t enthusiastic about the IRS’s new role enforcing President Obama’s national health care law.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the IRS, while slightly more (49%) view it unfavorably, according to a new Rasmussen reports national telephone survey. This includes just seven percent (7%) with a Very Favorable opinion of the federal tax collection agency and 17% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 13-14, 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.

86% Intend to Hit Today's Tax Deadline

Eighty-six percent (86%) of American Adults plan to have their taxes filed by today's deadline, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 

That includes 72% who had filed by Saturday, up 11 points from the end of March but down from 78% this time last year. Another 14% intended to get them done yesterday or today. Seven percent (7%) will seek an extension, with seven percent (7%) more not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 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.

34% Say U.S. Has Crony Capitalist Economic System

Americans are almost evenly divided when asked if the United States has a free market economy or a crony capitalist one. This helps explain why they think more government involvement in the marketplace makes it less fair.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults believe the United States has a system of free market capitalism. But nearly as many (34%) view it as a crony capitalist system. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 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 Not Possible to Work Hard and Get Rich in America

Most Americans (54%) believe it's no longer possible for anyone to work hard and get rich in this country, and just half (49%) think it’s possible for anyone to work his or her way out of poverty. They also remain deeply pessimistic about the future for the nation's children.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% of adults think it’s possible for anyone in America to work hard and get rich. That ties the lowest finding in more than three years of regular tracking. Another 20% 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 March 31-April 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.

55% Think Most Rich People Earned Their Money Through Hard Work

Most Americans still believe most rich people earned their money the hard way – by working for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters think, generally speaking, that most people get rich by working hard. Twenty-three percent (23%) believe most get their wealth by inheriting it, while 10% think they were lucky. Twelve percent (12%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

50% Say Doing Taxes Worse Than Going to the Dentist

Filing income taxes can be like pulling teeth, but it's even worse as far as many Americans are concerned.

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults, in fact, think filling out their income tax paperwork is worse than taking a trip to the dentist’s office. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% disagree. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 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.

Just 19% Think Stock Market Will Be Higher in a Year

Long-term economic confidence is at its lowest level yet, and Americans remain pessimistic about the housing and stock markets, too.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher a year from today, a finding which has been trending down from a high of 25% in December. Thirty percent (30%) believe it will be lower in a year's time, while 37% think it will be about the same. Another 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 March 31-April 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.