Business

58% Say Free Market Competition Better Than Regulations At Controlling Gas Prices

Most Americans don’t believe rising gas prices reflect actual market conditions, but a majority says free market competition is better than government regulations at keeping prices down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that only 24% think rising gas prices accurately reflect market conditions. Sixty-seven percent (67%) believe oil companies use bad news to gouge customers. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on February 23-24, 2012 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% Believe Reducing Dependence on Foreign Oil More Important Than Low Gas Prices

Americans continue to believe strongly than the country needs to lessen its dependence on foreign oil. They tend to think that free market solutions are the best way to achieve that goal. 

Sixty-three percent (63%) of American Adults agree that reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil is more important that reducing the price of gasoline. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only half that many (32%) rate reducing the price of gasoline as more important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on February 23-24, 2012 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% Favor Letting People Buy Homes With No Money Down

Though most Americans continue to believe the federal government should only back mortgages for those who can repay them, one-out-of-three thinks letting people buy homes with no money down is good for the housing market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that a majority (55%) thinks it is better for the housing market to require a 20% down payment from people buying a home rather than letting people buy homes with no money down. Thirty-three percent (33%) say it's better to let people buy homes without a down payment. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on February 25-26, 2012 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 Gas Could Top $5 A Gallon

Most Americans think gas will top $4 a gallon in the next few months and most think $5 a gallon is possible. Government regulations and unrest in the Middle East are seen as the chief culprits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that the price of gas will rise above $5 a gallon in the next few months. Thirty-eight percent (38%) view that as unlikely. This includes 24% who believe the gas hike is Very Likely and 12% who say it is Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on February 21-22, 2012 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% Have Filed Their Income Taxes Already

Americans are a little more enthusiastic about paying their income taxes than they have been in the last couple of years.

Thirty-three percent (33%) of American Adults say they’ve paid their income taxes already with two months to go until the deadline, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 

This marks an increase in early filers from last year’s 29% and 2010’s 30%.  The new findings match those in February 2009 but remain well below the 43% who filed by early March 2008, just months before the Wall Street meltdown.

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of adults expect to file their taxes by the April 15 deadline, same as last year but down from 94% in 2010. Seven percent (7%) will seek an extension, and five percent (5%) more are undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on February 19-20, 2012 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% Believe Home Worth More Than Purchase Price, Down 27 Points from 2008

The number of homeowners who think their home is worth more than they paid for it remains low.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. homeowners finds that 53% believe their home is worth more money than when they bought it. That’s little changed since December.  But it's down nine points from October, and down 27 points since June 2008.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 706 Adult Homeowners was conducted on February 17-18, 2012 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.

57% Say Home Worth More Than What They Still Owe

Amidst reports that sales of new and existing houses were up in January, confidence among homeowners that the value of their home will increase in the next five years is at its highest level in over a year, as is the number who believe their house is worth more than what they still owe on it. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Adult Homeowners think the value of their home is worth more than their mortgage.  That finding is up slightly from mid-January, but is at the highest level measured since early January of last year. Since then, this figure has generally remained in the high 40s to low 50s. 

Nearly one-in-three homeowners (32%) don’t believe their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage. Another 11% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 706 Adult Homeowners was conducted on February 17-18, 2012 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.

46% Say Driving Is Something They Really Enjoy

Americans have grown a little fonder of driving over the years, but a sizable number still says it's strictly for getting around.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of American Adults view driving a car as something they really enjoy rather than just something they have to do to get from one place to another. That’s up from 43% a year ago and 39% the year before.

But 50% still see driving as primarily a way to get from one place to another. This finding is little changed from last year but is down from 56% in 2010. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 2012 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.

52% Favor Candidate Who Would Raise Taxes on Wealthy

Voters appear to be showing a little less resistance to tax increases, and for the first time ever a majority would support a candidate who promised to raise taxes only on the wealthy over one who was against all tax increases.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 35% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for a candidate who promised to oppose all tax increases. Fifty-two percent (52%) instead would prefer a candidate who promised to raise taxes only on the rich. That’s up five points from last month and is the highest level of support measured in four years of regular tracking.  Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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Ford Still Viewed More Favorably Than GM, Chrysler

More Americans than ever have a favorable opinion of Ford, the one Big Three automaker who didn't need a taxpayer bailout to stay in business. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Ford. That’s up from 73% last September but consistent with findings since the 2008-2009 auto bailouts. Eighteen percent (18%) have an unfavorable opinion of Ford.  The new findings include 39% with a Very Favorable impression of the Detroit-based manufacturer and just six percent (6%) with a Very Unfavorable one.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 2012 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.

46% Say It’s Possible For Any American Seeking Work To Find A Job

Americans are growing a bit more confident that anyone looking for a job can find one, but they still don’t necessarily think anyone who works hard in this country can get rich.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Adults shows that 46% believe it is possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. That’s up only slightly from 44% in November, but it’s the highest level of confidence measured since May 2009. Thirty-seven percent (37%) do not think it’s possible for anyone who wants a job to find employment, down from 42% three months ago and tying the lowest level ever measured. Another 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 2012 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% Favor Federal Payroll Cuts Over Pay Raises To Help Economy

Given the choice between cutting the federal payroll and giving all federal workers a modest raise, a solid majority of voters say, “Cut!”

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters believe cutting the federal payroll is better for the economy even as President Obama calls for a small pay hike for federal workers in his latest budget. Eighteen percent (18%) say giving all federal workers a modest raise is the better option, but just as many (19%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 14-15, 2012 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. 

14% Are Very Likely to Buy or Lease A Car This Year

Americans' interest in a new car is barely higher than it has been over the last two years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of Adults are even somewhat likely to buy or lease a car in the next year, including 14% who are Very Likely to do so.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 2012 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.

Fewer See Major Depression Coming, Still Pessimistic About Housing, Stock Markets

With more Americans expecting a stronger economy next year, they are also less inclined to believe a 1930s-like depression is in the cards. Still, most don’t expect the housing or stock markets to make a full recovery anytime soon.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 40% still believe the United States is at least somewhat likely to enter an economic depression similar to the one during the 1930s in the next few years. This finding includes 15% who think it's Very Likely. The overall finding is down from 52% in November and is the lowest recorded in three years of regular tracking. 

Forty-eight percent (48%) don’t see a 1930s-like economic depression as likely in the near future, but just nine percent (9%) say it’s Not At All Likely to happen. Eleven percent (11%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 2012 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.

Obama’s Budget Shows $928 Billion Increase in Spending Over Five Years

President Obama’s new budget proposal calls for annual federal government spending to increase by $192 billion in 2012 and $928 billion by 2017.  The budget documents show federal spending of $3,603 billion for 2011 growing to $3,795 billion in 2012 and $4,531 billion in 2017.

37% Expect Stronger U.S. Economy A Year From Now

For the first time in over two years, the number of Americans who believe the economy will be stronger one year from now is slightly higher than the number who expect it to be weaker.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Adults shows that 37% believe the economy will be stronger in one year, up 10 points from November's all-time low of 27%. This finding is the highest measured since September 2010.

Thirty-five percent (35%) expect the U.S. economy to be weaker a year from now, down from 48% last month and the lowest level of pessimism since September 2009. Nineteen percent (19%) predict the economy will be about the same in a year's time. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 2012 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 Voters Still Think Bailouts Bad for America

Amidst reports that the car industry is experiencing a modest rebound in sales, support for the government bailouts is at its highest level in three years of regular tracking, although most voters still think they were a bad idea. 

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the bailouts of banks, auto companies and insurance companies were good for the United States. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% view the bailouts as bad for the country, while 17% remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 10-11, 2012 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% Expect to Be Paying More for Groceries A Year From Now

Despite the Federal Reserve's insistence that inflation is under control, Americans continue to say overwhelmingly that they are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago and they expect to be paying even more a year from now. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of adults think they are paying more for groceries now. That's down two points from last month and consistent with findings since January 2011. Only eight percent (8%) don't believe they are paying more now. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on February 5-6, 2012 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.

52% Lack Confidence In Stability of U.S. Banking System

Most Americans remain unsure about the state of banks in this country.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes just 10% who are Very Confident.  Most adults (52%), in fact, lack confidence in the country’s banking system, with 15% who are Not At All Confident in it.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on February 5-6, 2012 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.

23% Support Ongoing Federal Support For Long-Term Unemployed

More Americans than ever think the federal government should do nothing when it comes to those who are unemployed for an extended period of time.  At the same time, the number of adults who believe in ongoing government support for the unemployed is at its lowest level yet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 14% believe the government should hire unemployed people who can’t find work for an extended period of time, while only nine percent (9%) favor extending unemployment benefits indefinitely. Rejecting a permanent role for the government, 30% still believe the government should help the long term unemployed by paying for their retraining. Thirty-seven percent (37%) believe the government should do nothing at all for those individuals, while another 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 1-2, 2012 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.