Business

47% Favor Candidate Who Raises Taxes on Wealthy Over One Who Opposes All Tax Increases

More voters support a candidate who plans to raise taxes for the wealthiest Americans over one who promises to oppose all tax increases.

59% Lack Confidence In Fed To Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down

While few Americans report paying higher interest rates than they did a year ago, they still lack confidence in the Federal Reserve Board to keep interest rates down and inflation under control.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 33% are at least somewhat confident that the Fed will be able to keep inflation under control and interest rates down, including just seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident.

51% Say U.S. Economy Can Still Recover Despite Europe’s Troubles

The United States is putting pressure on Europe to deal with its debt crisis as quickly as possible to avoid a global economic meltdown. Though most Americans expect at least one of the European countries to default on its debt in the next few years, half believe it’s still possible for the U.S. economy to recover even if Europe’s remains in trouble.

New Low: 35% Confident in U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the stability of the nation’s banking industry has fallen to a new low. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 35% are even somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry.

Most Still Think Government Workers Better Off Than Those in Private Sector

Most Americans nationwide continue to believe that government workers get more pay and better job security but don’t work as hard as their counterparts in the private sector.

56% of GOP Voters Like Cain’s ‘9-9-9’ Tax Reform Plan

Voters aren’t well versed on surging Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain’s “9-9-9” tax reform plan, but most agree that if it becomes law, Congress won’t wait long to raise the tax rates higher.

32% Say Government Should Do Nothing for the Long-Term Unemployed

Americans continue to have mixed feelings about how the government should respond to the long-term unemployed. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 32% feel the government should do nothing at all, while 25% think it should pay for their retraining. Ten percent (10%) say the government should extend unemployment benefits indefinitely, and 21% think the government should hire those long out of work, down from June's high-to-date of 24%.

60% Oppose Financial Bailouts; 74% Say Wall Street Benefited Most

The bailouts of the financial industry still leave a sour taste in the mouths of most Americans who feel as strongly as ever that the government was looking out for bankers rather than taxpayers and that crimes on Wall Street remain unpunished.

26% Have Favorable Opinion of Bernanke, 51% Unfavorable

Half of Americans nationwide believe the Federal Reserve Board chairman has too much power over the economy. Meanwhile, favorability ratings for current Chairman Ben Bernanke are at their lowest level yet recorded.

Public Divided on Occupy Wall Street Protesters

As they marched through Manhattan, they chanted of how the “Big Banks Got Bailed Out, We Got Left Behind.” The Occupy Wall Street protesters found a slogan that resonates with the American people but not many people embrace the protesters views of an economy more regulated by the government.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Americans agree with the statement that the “The big banks got bailed but the middle class got left behind." A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American adults found that just 10% disagree with that statement and 11% are not sure.

36% Expect More Unemployment One Year From Today, 21% Expect Less

As 2011 rolls along, Americans have become far more pessimistic about the employment outlook.

Only 29% Think U.S. Has World's Best Economy

Perhaps these views are driven in part by the increased skepticism that Americans have about President Obama's economic advisers. Just 31% are at least somewhat confident in those who advise the president on economic policy, with only 14% who are Very Confident. Sixty-three percent (63%) lack confidence in the president’s economic advisers, including 44% who are Not At All Confident in them.

The number of adults confident in Obama’s economic advisers has fallen from 41% in September 2010. Fifty-seven percent (57%) put little or not faith in those advisers at that time.

Rasmussen Employment Index Inches Up Slightly In September

The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market each month, regained some lost ground in September following August’s 2011 low.

At 73.4, the Employment Index is up four points from August but is still down four points from the beginning of 2011 and down 10 points since last November when hiring expectations peaked.  Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be better than prior months.

51% Still Say Bailouts of GM and Chrysler Were A Bad Idea

From their beginning in 2008, the bailouts for Wall Street and the auto industry have been among the most unpopular government actions in recent American history. New polling shows that even after three years, the attitudes haven’t changed all that much.

50% Less Likely to Buy GM Because of Bailout

Federal bailout funding may have prevented General Motors from going through a normal bankruptcy process, but it has come at a significant price in terms of reputation and potential buyers.

Ford Enjoys Best Public Perception Among Big Three Auto Companies

Ever since General Motors and Chrysler accepted government bailouts, Ford has been the nation’s most popular auto manufacturer.

If Taxes Hiked to Reduce Deficit, 62% Think It Will Be Spent on New Programs

Americans think tax hikes are more likely than spending cuts in any deficit reduction deal that comes out of Congress and are more convinced than ever that any new tax monies will be spent on new government programs.

73% See Significant Deficit-Cutting Agreement As Unlikely Before 2012 Election

Regardless of their views on the content of any major deficit reduction plan, voters do not expect any significant reduction in federal government spending before next year’s election.

Just 22% Support Government-Assisted Mortgage Payments

Most Americans still don’t believe the government should help those who can’t afford to make their mortgage payments.

50% Favor Mix of Cuts, Taxes To Reduce Deficit, But 64% Oppose Paying Higher Taxes

Fifty percent (50%) of Americans think President Obama and Congress should consider a mix of spending cuts and tax increases in looking for ways to cut the federal deficit, but nearly two-out-of-three adults (64%) are unwilling to pay higher taxes themselves to reduce that deficit.