The number of Americans who believe the federal government should assume financial responsibility for the long-term unemployed has increased throughout 2011. Most, however, still reject that approach.
Overall confidence in the U.S. job market is at its lowest level in two years.
Faced with continuing high unemployment, voters feel strongly that the government needs to launch a job-creating program, but they still have far more faith in business leaders to create new jobs. They give mixed reviews to President Obama’s new plan to create jobs for military veterans.
Rasmussen Reports measures consumer confidence on a daily basis, and one of our standard questions is whether or not the United States is currently in a recession. According to the economists, the last recession lasted from December 2007 to June 2009, and some are wondering if we are on the path to a double dip.
The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market each month, fell nearly eight points in July to the lowest level since March.
San Francisco is considering a new law that would prohibit employers from inquiring about an individual’s criminal history before hiring them. Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts and Philadelphia already have similar laws. But just 18% of American Adults favor a law that would prohibit employers from considering an applicant’s criminal record when making a hiring decision.
While the ongoing debt ceiling debate hasn’t helped matters, Americans still list being a member of Congress as the least favorable on a list of nine professions.
One of the enduring myths in the debate over federal spending is that voters want spending cuts in general but reject cuts to specific programs that help them. New data on the attitudes of financially troubled homeowners casts doubt upon that belief.
Voters nationwide aren’t exactly confident that most employers in the business world are hiring the best candidates.
"I have an unusual question for you. If I win a large prize in the lottery, should/could I establish a nonprofit corporation to receive the prize? I asked a financial advisor about this, and he said that I could do this and also have the identity of the manager (me) hidden from the public.
Should Congress ever again be able to generate a budget surplus, voters overwhelmingly want that money to go toward paying down the federal debt.
The federal government Friday extended its deadline to apply to the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program, but most Americans believe troubled homeowners should sell their homes rather than receive government assistance to keep them.
The belief among Americans that purchasing a home is a family’s best investment is weaker than ever.
For the second month in a row, less than half of America’s homeowners believe the value of their home is worth more than the amount they still owe on their mortgage.
Confidence that home values will go up over the coming year has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded.
Those trying to figure out the mood of the American voter right now are bound to be scratching their heads. Last November, the voters threw Republicans into Congress in almost record numbers with a mandate to slash government spending and keep taxes as low as possible.
The U.S. Department of Energy says that new light bulbs will cost more up front but save money in the long run. That, plus expected energy savings, has led to government regulations that will effectively ban the sale of traditional light bulbs starting next year.
After dipping to a two-year low last month, the number of Americans who expect to pay higher interest rates next year has returned to levels found earlier in 2011.
Most Americans remain worried about inflation and lack confidence in the Federal Reserve to keep inflation under control and interest rates down.
As the Beltway politicians try to figure out how they will raise the debt ceiling and for how long, most voters oppose including tax hikes in the deal.
