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45% Think Free Trade Good for U.S., 28% Disagree

Call it free trade with limits. Americans still tend to favor free trade agreements with other nations but believe there are some countries that should pay tariffs on the goods they send to the United States. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults think free trade is good for the U.S. economy. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree and think it’s bad for the economy, while 27% more 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 Adults was conducted on January 24-25, 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 Would Choose Foreign Over American If Product Is Better, Cheaper

Adults nationwide still place high importance on buying American-made products, but most would go with a foreign product if it’s cheaper and better than its American counterpart.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 90% of adults say it’s at least somewhat important to buy a product made in America, including 61% who say it’s Very Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 24-25, 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% Say Wealthy Americans Should Pay at Least 30% In Income Taxes

Most voters agree with President Obama’s proposal in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night that wealthy Americans pay at least 30% of their income in federal taxes. But 30% seems to be about as far as they want to go.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the president’s tax proposal for the wealthy. Thirty-two percent (32%) oppose a requirement that the wealthy pay at least 30% in federal taxes. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 January 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% Favor Government Subsidizing U.S. Manufacturing

In President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, he proposed corporate tax credits and tax reductions to encourage an increase in U.S. manufacturing jobs, and a new survey shows a majority of Americans nationwide are on board with the idea.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 55% believe government funds should be used to subsidize manufacturers in the United States through tax credits and other incentives. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, while 15% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 24-25, 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% See Home Buying As Family’s Best Investment

For the first time in nine months, more than half of Americans believe purchasing a home is the best investment for a family, but this finding is still well below results measured several years ago.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 52% believe buying a home is the best investment a family can make, up from 47% last month and the highest level measured since May 2011. Nearly a third (30%) say home buying is not a family’s best investment, while 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 U.S. Adults was conducted on January 16-17, 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.

47% Favor Candidate Who Would Raise Taxes on Wealthy

More voters support a candidate who promises to raise taxes only on the rich over one who opposes all tax hikes, but roughly half feel tax increases of any kind would hurt the nation’s economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds that 47% say they’d vote for a candidate for office who promises to only raise taxes on the rich, while 36% favor a candidate who opposes all tax increases.  Another 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 January 15-16, 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.

Confidence In Housing Market Improves

Belief among homeowners that home values will increase during the next few years is the strongest it has been in a year, as is confidence that their homes are worth more than what they still owe.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of homeowners shows that 21% now believe their home will be worth more in a year, up seven points from last month and the highest result measured since February 2011. Still, 27% say their home will be worth less in a year’s time, while 51% expect its value to remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 670 U.S. Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 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.

70% Prefer Free Market to Government-Managed Economy

Americans still put a lot more faith in the private sector than in government when it comes to making the economy work.

Seventy percent (70%) of American Adults think a free market economy is better than one managed by the government. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% believe a government-managed economy is better. 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on January 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.

44% Worry Government Will Do Too Much To Counter Bad Economy

Concern that the government will do too much responding to the bad economy has reached its highest level in seven months after falling to a three-year low in December. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters are now more concerned that the government will do too much in reacting to the nation's economic problems rather than not enough. (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 nationwide was conducted on January 13-14, 2011 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.

50% Expect Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Though a majority of Americans say they’re paying the same interest rates as they were last year, half think the rates they’ll be paying a year from now will be higher.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 50% believe they will be paying higher interest rates one year from now. Only six percent (6%) think interest rates will be lower next year, while 31% expect them to be about the same. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 January 8-9, 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.

39% Say U.S. Has Crony Capitalist System

With Republicans debating Mitt Romney’s record as a venture capitalist, Americans continue to agree that capitalism is better than socialism, but they give mixed marks to the type of capitalism practiced in this country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of American Adults now rate capitalism as a better system than socialism. Just 15% think socialism is the better way to go, with another 21% who are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

72% Still Concerned About Inflation

Concern about inflation remains high but appears to be easing somewhat as Americans show more confidence in the Federal Reserve Board to keep it under control. Still, a sizable majority expects to pay more for groceries in the months ahead.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 42% are at least somewhat confident the Fed will be able to keep inflation under control and interest rates down, including 11% who are Very Confident. However, most (52%) still lack that confidence, with 15% who are Not At All Confident. (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 January 8-9, 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.

51% Lack Confidence In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Most Americans continue to lack confidence in the stability of U.S. banks.  

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 43% are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the banking industry today, but that includes just nine percent (9%) who are Very Confident.  Fifty-one percent (51%) are not confident in the country’s banking system, with 15% who are Not At All Confident.  (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 January 8-9, 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.

89% Think Higher Gas Prices Likely Six Months From Now

Americans overwhelmingly believe that they will be paying more for gas six months from now, and most worry that increasing tensions with Iran will prompt a spike in prices at the pump.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 89% of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that they will be paying more for a gallon of gas six months from now, and that includes a whopping 72% who say it’s Very Likely. Just seven percent (7%) think an increase in gas prices is not very or Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on January 6-7, 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.

New Low: 30% Expect to Earn More A Year From Now

The number of Americans who expect to be earning more money in a year’s time has fallen to a record low, while those who expect to be making even less than they are now is at its highest level in two-and-a-half years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of employed adults shows that 30% think they will be making more a year from today, but that’s down six points from 36% in November and the most pessimistic finding found in regular tracking since April 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 616 Employed Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 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.

47% Say Staying With Current Company Best For Advancement

A plurality of working Americans feels their best opportunity for career advancement is to stay put, and fewer believe their next job will be better than their current one. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults finds that 47% say they have a better opportunity for career advancement by staying within their current company.  Thirty percent (30%) think their chances are better if they go to work for someone else, unchanged from November and still at the lowest level measured in nearly two years of surveying.  Another 22% are not sure which course is better.  (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 616 Employed Adults was conducted on January 2-3, 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.

76% Say Wealthy Like Kim Kardashian Already Pay Enough in State Taxes

Tax hiking activists in California have been airing a TV commercial pointing out that millionaire celebrity Kim Kardashian pays a 10.3% state tax rate when the average middle class family is paying 9.3%. The commercial includes the full screen message “We All Need to Pay Our Fair Share.” But most voters nationally think the state's present tax rates are fair, and a sizable number say the 10.3% rate is too high. In short, the ad may not be resonating the way its promoters hope.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters say it’s fair for the wealthy to pay a 10.3% rate while middle class families pay 9.3%. Just one-out-of-three voters (32%) think that arrangement is unfair. (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 December 29-30, 2011 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.

Personal Finance Ratings Up in December

On the final day of 2011, 36% of American adults rated their own finances as good or excellent. That was most optimistic assessment of the month and highlighted a trend of modestly improving confidence during the final two months of the year.

29% Say Home Worth Less Than When They Bought It

Most homeowners are confident they know what their home is worth, and more of them than ever say it's worth less now than when they bought it.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of homeowners shows that 52% believe their home is worth more than what they paid when they purchased it.

(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 690 U.S. Homeowners was conducted on December 19-20, 2011 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.

To Help Economy, Voters Want Government To Do More Cutting

A growing number of voters want the government to do more in response to the ailing economy. What they’re looking for, however, is for government to shrink itself rather than expand its presence in the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters worry more that the federal government will do too much rather than not enough in reacting to the nation’s economic problems.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 22, 2011 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.