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Plurality Believes Federal Deposit Insurance Limits Should Be Less than $250,000

The federal government provides deposit insurance for regulated banks up to a limit of $250,000 per account per bank.  Nine-out-of-ten American Adults (87%) support this federal policy. However, 34% believe the amount insured should be less than $250,000. Twenty-two percent (22%) take the opposite view and believe it should be higher. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% believe the current limits are about right.

50% Favor Breaking Up Nation’s Largest Banks

A Senate report released this month revealed that the nation’s largest bank, JP Morgan Chase, manipulated and withheld key information during its record trading losses last year, prompting even stronger belief that the big banks haven’t learned their lesson after receiving government bailouts in 2008. Most Americans want to end government subsidies for these ‘too big to fail’ institutions and half want to see those megabanks broken up.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 50% of U.S. Adults favor a plan to break up the 12 megabanks, which currently control about 69% of the banking industry. Twenty-three percent (23%) oppose breaking up the largest banks, while another 27% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 19-20, 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% Rather Have Deficit with Lower Taxes, Spending

Most voters think it is important to balance the federal budget but not if it means higher levels of taxes and government spending.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 36% of Likely Voters would rather have a balanced budget with higher levels of taxes and spending than a deficit with lower levels of taxes and spending. Forty-one percent (41%) prefer a deficit with lower taxes and less spending, while another 23% are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

65% Say Struggling Homeowners Should Downsize

Most Americans continue to believe homeowners who go "underwater" on their mortgage should sell their home and buy a cheaper one. But most homeowners continue to say they haven’t missed or been late on a payment recently and don’t expect to be late in the near future.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 65% of American Adults believe that if someone can’t afford to make increased mortgage payments, he or she should sell their home and buy a less expensive one. Twenty-one percent (21%) believe the government should assist that person in making those payments. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

52% Say Home Worth More Than What They Owe

While short-term confidence about home values is down from last month’s high , the number of homeowners who say their home is worth more than what they still owe on it is back over 50%. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 30% of U.S. Homeowners expect their home’s value to go up over the next year. Fifteen percent (15%) expect the value to go down, while 51% say their home’s value will stay about the same over the next year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 646 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on March 17-18, 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.

7% Think Balanced Budget Very Likely In Next 10 Years

Voters strongly believe in the importance of a balanced budget, but most don’t expect the federal budget to be balanced in the next 10 years despite competing deficit-cutting plans now before Congress.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 87% of Likely U.S. Voters consider it at least somewhat important to balance the federal budget. This includes 63% who view it as Very Important. Only 10% feel it’s not very or Not At All Important to balance the budget. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

45% Expect Higher Interest Rates In A Year

More Americans say they are paying higher interest rates.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that one-in-five adults (20%) now say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago. That's up three points from last month and the highest number since  September. Seventeen percent (17%) say they are paying lower rates, while 56% say their rates are about the same as 12 months ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 11-12, 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% Are Paying Higher Grocery Bills Than A Year Ago

Most Americans remain worried about inflation, and an overwhelming number continue to say they are paying more for groceries compared to a year ago. Most believe they’ll be paying even more next year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 86% of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago. Just nine percent (9%) say they are paying less for groceries compared to last year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 11-12, 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 Now Confident in Nation’s Banks

Confidence in the U.S. banking system is up again this month.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults now are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that includes just 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-three percent (43%) continue to lack confidence in the nation’s banks, with 11% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 11-12, 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.

63% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Most working Americans continue to classify themselves as middle class, but the number of working poor remains at a near four year low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Employed Adults consider themselves middle class. Twenty-one percent (21%) see themselves as upper middle class, while just three percent (3%) view themselves as wealthy. Eight percent (8%) regard themselves as the working poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 640 Employed Adults was conducted on March 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.

62% Think U.S. Economy Fair to Blacks, Hispanics

Most voters continue to believe the U.S. economy is fair to women, blacks and Hispanics but are now evenly divided when asked if it’s fair to lower-income Americans. However, they still think all four are treated better than the middle class.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think the economy is at least somewhat fair to women, but that includes only 15% who say it’s Very Fair. Thirty-four percent (34%) believe it’s unfair to women, with seven percent (7%) who feel it is Not At All Fair. (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 March 6-7, 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 Current Employer Is Best Chance for Advancement

Fewer working Americans than ever now see staying put at their current company as the best way to get ahead in their career, but most are still not searching for a new job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Employed Adults think the best opportunity for career advancement is to stay within their current employer. This figure is down from 47% in early January and is the lowest level measured since regular tracking began in mid-July 2009. (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 640 Employed Adults was conducted on March 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.

35% Think U.S. Economy Fair to Middle Class

Fewer voters than ever now think the U.S. economy is fair to the middle class. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely Voters believe the economy is at least somewhat fair to middle-class Americans, but that includes only six percent (6%) who think it’s Very Fair.  Sixty-two percent (62%) think the economy is not fair to the middle class, with 20% who feel it’s Not At All Fair.  (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 Likely Voters was conducted on March 6-7, 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.

22% Favor Eliminating All Deductions To Lower Income Tax Rates

Not many Americans favor the elimination of all income tax deductions in exchange for lower tax rates. Most think the wealthy are less likely to contribute to charity if their deductions are reduced.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that wealthy Americans will give less money to charity if deductions for charitable donations are reduced. This finding is up slightly from early April 2009 when 66% believed that to be true. Just 18% think it’s unlikely wealthy Americans would donate less money if deductions are reduced. This includes 44% who say it’s Very Likely the rich would donate less, compared to only four percent (4%) who believe it’s Not At All Likely.  (To see survey questions wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 3-4, 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% Worry That Government Spending Won’t Be Cut Enough

As Congress and President Obama struggle over ways to reduce the federal budget deficit, most Americans worry that they will raise taxes too much and won’t cut spending enough.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters are worried most that Congress and the president will raise taxes too much rather than that they won’t raise taxes enough. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are most worried that Congress and the president won’t raise taxes enough. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 4-5, 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% Favor Everyone Paying Same Share of Income in Taxes

Americans continue to feel the middle class pays more in taxes percentagewise than the wealthy do but are less enthusiastic about everyone paying the same percentage of their income in taxes.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Adults believe middle-class Americans pay a larger share of their income in taxes than the wealthy do. Only 28% disagree and think wealthy Americans pay a bigger share of their income in taxes. Twelve percent (12%) 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 March 3-4, 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 Spending Increases Hurt The Economy

Voters continue to believe it's better to cut taxes and spending than to raise them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters think increases in government spending help the economy. Nearly twice as many (50%) believe spending increases hurt the economy. Nine percent (9%) feel they have no impact, while 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28-March 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.

20% Think Stock Market Will Be Higher A Year From Now

With short-term and long-term confidence in the U.S. economy at record lows, Americans don’t have much hope for the stock and housing markets either. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 20% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher a year from now.  Thirty-one percent (31%) think the stock market will be lower, while 34% predict that 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 1-2, 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.

38% Have Filed Their Income Taxes Already

Americans appear to be keeping pace with last year when it comes to paying their income taxes, but they’re more optimistic about getting a refund this year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of American Adults have filed their income taxes already. Fifty-two percent (52%) have yet to file but plan to do so by the April 15 deadline. Four percent (4%) plan to get an extension. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 3-4, 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% Think Sequester Didn’t Cut Government Spending Enough

Despite the warning cries from official Washington over the sequester cuts in government spending, a sizable number of voters think the cuts didn’t go far enough. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the sequester didn’t cut federal spending enough. Only 26% think spending was cut too much, while 10% believe the level of cuts was about right. Twenty-two percent (22%) 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 March 2-3, 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.