After increasing in April, Americans' level of confidence in their overall financial security held steady in June, as the COUNTRY Financial Security Index(R) ticked down just one-tenth of a point to 64.8. A more optimistic near-term view of Americans' finances was offset by continued uncertainty about longer range issues.
The message from voters remains clear: Tax cuts yes, tax hikes no.
Americans continues to oppose government-driven solutions for the newspaper industry’s problems in large part because of their concern that they threaten the press’ independence.
Many Americans believe government workers make more money than their counterparts in the private sector, and they don’t like the idea of the government hiring more workers.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is considering several ways to help the struggling newspaper industry, but Americans strongly reject several proposed taxes to keep privately-owned newspapers going.
As the federal program to combat foreclosures winds down, most Americans still think it's better for the government not to help troubled homeowners.
Twenty-seven percent (27%) of U.S. homeowners now expect the value of their home to go up over the next year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's a bit more pessimistic than a month ago but still is a higher level of confidence than was found nearly all of last year.
The Rasmussen Employment Index rose just over a point in May to reach its highest level since September 2008. At 74.8, the monthly measure of worker confidence is up eight points from a year ago but still down 13 points from September 2008.
Eighty percent (80%) of Americans now agree with Congress that auditing the Federal Reserve Board is a good idea, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
Forty-six percent (46%) of Americans oppose more government regulation of the U.S. financial system as Congress pushes through such legislation in hopes of having it for President Obama to sign into law by July 4.
More working Americans now expect to be earning more money a year from today, while,at the same time, they believe the best opportunity for career advancement is to stay put.
Americans overwhelmingly view the federal budget deficit as a major problem, and they blame President Bush and President Obama – and their respective parties - almost equally for the size of it. Most also believe the Bush Administration increased federal spending too much.
Most adults believe women in America are better off today than they were 25 years ago, but they still don’t think women receive equal pay for equal work.
While Europe struggles to keep Greece’s battered economy from dragging down other nations on the continent, 79% of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that Europe’s financial crisis will cause economic problems in the United States. That includes 38% who are Very Concerned.
United Airlines and Continental Airlines have announced a $3 billion merger that will form the world’s largest airline with the ability to carry nearly 150 million passengers a year. But 42% of Americans nationwide believe the merger will result in higher airline prices.
Believe it or not, most employed Americans think their boss knows best. Unless he or she works for the government.
Adults still have mixed feelings about the state of the economy a year from today, but confidence in the economy's long-range prospects is at its lowest level in over a year.
Americans remain convinced that government workers earn more and have more job security than those who work in the private sector.
The majority of American adults expect the stock market to recover within the next three years, and short-term optimism is at a new high.
New Jersey and California are just two of the states that are wrestling with high numbers of well-compensated unionized public employees as they try to reduce growing budget deficits.
