Lifestyle

Few Expect Ferguson Police Officer To Be Charged

Americans don’t expect the white police officer who killed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri to be charged with murder and oppose the U.S. Justice Department trying to prosecute him after that.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults believe police officer Darren Wilson should be found guilty of murder in the Brown case. That’s unchanged from mid-August just after the shooting occurred. But now 39% think the officer was acting in self-defense, up from 26% three months ago. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are still undecided, but that compares to 51% in the first survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 19-20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

72% Think Stores Start Christmas Season Too Soon

Walking through any malls or stores across the country right now probably yields a familiar sight—Christmas trees, holiday music and seasonal decorations, and they’ve probably been there since Halloween. But how soon is too soon?

Nearly three-out-of-four American Adults (72%) think stores start the Christmas season too early, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2014 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.

Americans Plan on Spending More This Holiday Season

Americans are in a more generous mood this holiday season, but they’re off to a slower start when it comes to shopping.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults have started their holiday shopping already. That’s down slightly from 37% a year ago at this time but a bit better than the 32% who had already begun shopping in mid-November 2012. Sixty-three percent (63%) haven’t got started yet. (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 nationwide was conducted on November 17-18, 2014 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.

68% Say It’s Impossible to Keep Internet Searches Private

Americans are confident in the privacy of their own Internet communications but still agree it's no longer possible to guarantee complete online privacy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Internet Users believe their Internet communications are at least somewhat private now, including 16% who believe they’re Very Private. Twenty-nine percent (29%) do not think their online communications are private, including nine percent (9%) who don’t think they are at all. (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 was conducted on November 11-12, 2014 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.

61% Oppose Federal Regulation of the Internet

Americans really like the online service they currently have and strongly oppose so-called “net neutrality” efforts that would allow the federal government to regulate the Internet.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% of American Adults agree the Federal Communications Commission should regulate the Internet like it does radio and television. Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree and think the Internet should remain open without regulation and censorship. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 was conducted on November 11-12, 2014 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.

Money Matters When It Comes to Support for Mass Transit

A majority of Americans thinks the federal government should support more mass transit projects - unless the projects lose money.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults think the federal government should do more to encourage use of mass transit services in this country, including funding more public transportation projects. Thirty-four percent (34%) are opposed to more government promotion of mass transit, while 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 was conducted on November 9-10, 2014 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.

Americans Overwhelmingly Say Mass Transit Is Not An Option

Very few Americans would willingly take public transportation over driving their own car somewhere, and most rarely use mass transit at all. A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 70% of American Adults rarely or never use mass transit like buses, trains, subways or ferries, and another 11% only use it every few months. Just 12% use mass transit services at least once a week, with seven percent (7%) who use them every day or nearly every day. Six percent (6%) use mass transit two or three times a month. (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 was conducted on November 9-10, 2014 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.

Americans Drink Domestic Beer, Red Wine and Vodka

When it’s time for Happy Hour, most Americans are ordering a beer or wine.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that among America Adults who drink alcohol, 36% are most likely to drink wine, while nearly as many (33%) go for beer. One-in-four (24%) would choose hard liquor first. (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 nationwide was conducted on November 5-6, 2014 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.

43% Will Do Something Special to Observe Veterans Day

Many Americans plan today to honor those who have served in the U.S. military, but participation is down slightly from previous years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% of American Adults plan to do something special to celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have given their lives for America. Forty percent (40%) do not, but 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 7-8, 2014 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 Americans Aren’t Fans of Plastic Surgery

Following the strong reaction to Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger’s noticeably altered appearance, Americans don’t particularly like the increased use of cosmetic surgery and procedures, though one-in-five would at least consider going under the knife.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of American Adults favor the increasing use of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections in this country. Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed, but another 34% 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 and Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 3-4, 2014 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.

Americans Enjoy Their Booze

Just over a third of Americans still say they drink alcohol at least once a week, and those that do imbibe do so out of enjoyment rather than social obligation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of American Adults drink alcohol at least once a week. That includes 10% who say they drink about once a week, 17% who drink several times a week and eight percent (8%) who have a drink every day or nearly every day. That’s similar to findings a year ago, though the number who drink more than once a week is up slightly since then. Six percent (6%) say they drink several times a month, while 23% drink occasionally. Thirty-five percent (35%) say they rarely or never drink alcohol, showing little change from last year. (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 nationwide was conducted on November 5-6, 2014 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.

Americans Would Choose to Be Superman

Americans say they would choose to be Superman if they could be any superhero, but if they had one super power, it would be the ability to see into the future. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of American Adults say that if they could have a super power it would be to see into the future. Nineteen percent (19%) say they would want the ability to fly. Fourteen percent (14%) would want X-ray vision, while the same amount (14%) would want to be immortal. Ten percent (10%) say they’d want super strength, while just four percent (4%) say they’d want super speed. Eight percent (8%) say they’d want some other power, while six percent (6%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

58% Own a Pet and Most Consider it a Joy

More than half of Americans own at least one pet, and they think of their pet as a joy, not a hassle.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults own a pet, up slightly from a year ago. (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 October 30-31, 2014 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.

32% Think Doctors Overprescribe Drugs

Most Americans trust their doctor, but one-in-three believe most doctors overprescribe drugs to their patients and a large majority are concerned overuse could lower medications’ effectiveness.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults have a doctor they see on a regular basis. (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 November 3-4, 2014 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.

Grown Children Living With Parents Seen As Bad for Families, Economy

An overwhelming majority of Americans continue to believe that it’s more common for grown children to live with their parents these days, and most think that’s a bad thing for families and the economy.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 80% believe it is more common for grown children to live with their parents compared to 20 years ago, up slightly from 77% a year ago but down six points from 2011. Only 11 percent disagree. (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 Adults was conducted on October 28-29, 2014 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.

43% Say There’s No Need for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time ends tomorrow, but Americans aren’t so sure it’s still necessary.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most American Adults (82%) know to move their clocks back an hour this weekend to end Daylight Saving Time (DST). Ten percent (10%) think they need to move their clocks forward an hour. (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 October 28-29, 2014 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.

25% of Adults Will Get Dressed Up For Halloween

Most American adults still don’t think Halloween is just for kids, and a few more will be playing dress up this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults say they will get dressed up for Halloween this year. That’s up from 19% last year and the highest number of adults to get in costume in five years of tracking. Most adults (69%), however, won’t be dressing up this year. (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 October 26-27, 2014 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.

Americans Favor Halloween Costumes, Candy in School

Some schools continue to prohibit Halloween costumes and candy, and most Americans still disagree with these policies.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults believe children should be allowed to wear Halloween costumes in class. This is up from 63% last year. Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree. (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 was conducted on October 26-27, 2014 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.

Voters Strongly Support Quarantines, State Action to Fight Ebola

Voters overwhelming support quarantines on health workers who have had contact with Ebola and think states should be able to take steps on their own to fight the deadly virus if they feel the federal government isn’t doing enough.

Seventy percent (70%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor quarantining for up to 21 days all health workers who return to this country after having contact with Ebola patients in Africa, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% oppose quarantining these individuals for the period the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says will determine whether or not they have Ebola. Eleven percent (11%) 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 October 27-28, 2014 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.

67% Say Colleges Are Better Known For Sports Than Academics

Most Americans think college sports run the show and have too much influence over educational institutions.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults think college athletics have too much power and influence over colleges and universities. That’s unchanged from May 2013, but down from 71% in July 2012 just after the Penn State football scandal. Sixteen percent (16%) disagree, but 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 American Adults was conducted on October 24-25, 2014 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.