Lifestyle

49% Believe Government Programs Increase Poverty in America

Congress is debating a plan by Republican Congressman Paul Ryan to reform government welfare programs. Most Americans still believe current government anti-poverty programs have no impact on poverty in this country or actually increase it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (44%) of American Adults still think the government spends too much on poverty programs. That’s down from 51% in October 2012 but up from 38% in the previous year. Thirty-one percent (31%) say it doesn’t spend enough in this area, while 14% say the level of spending is about right. Another 10% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 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.

78% Consider Marriage Important to Society

Most Americans still consider marriage important, and those who are married rate it even more importantly.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 78% of American Adults think the institution of marriage is important to U.S. society, including 54% who view it as Very Important. These findings have generally held steady in surveys since May 2011. Just 18% think marriage is not very or Not At All Important to society. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on July 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.

51% Say There Aren't Enough Cops in America

Most Americans continue to believe crime is a serious problem in America, and half think there aren’t enough police officers to stop it.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults say crime in their community has increased over the past year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 11% say the level of crime where they live has gone down, while 47% say it has stayed about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on July 22-23, 2014 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.

Americans Favor Nighttime Curfews for Teens

Baltimore is just about to institute one of the strictest youth nighttime curfew laws in the country. Most Americans think the curfew is likely to help reduce youth crime and favor such a measure in their community.  But they're not sure it's the best crime-fighting method.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that Baltimore’s new curfew will reduce the level of youth crime in the city. Thirty-two percent (32%) do not. This includes 24% who think it’s Very Likely the curfew will help reduce youth crime and six percent (6%) who say it’s Not At All Likely to do so. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on July 22-23, 2014 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.

Americans Don’t Want Feds in Their Shopping Carts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing major changes in grocery stores to encourage Americans to alter their eating habits, including talking shopping carts and giveaway prizes for those who buy healthier items. But most Americans feel it is not the federal government’s role to try to change what they eat.

Only 21% of Americans say they are more likely to shop in a grocery store that uses the government-proposed methods to encourage healthier eating. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% are less likely to shop in a store that employs these methods. Forty-one percent (41%) says it would have no impact on their shopping decisions. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 20-21, 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.

Have We Got A Conspiracy for You - 9/11? JFK? Obama's Citizenship?

On a list of some of the world’s best-known conspiracy theories, Americans are most likely to believe the one about JFK‘s assassination. But President George W. Bush and President Obama don't escape suspicion. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 45% of American Adults reject as false the theory that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by more than one shooter. Thirty-two percent (32%) believe more than one shooter was involved in the 1963 assassination in Dallas, and another 23% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 16-17, 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 Adults Still Prefer A Traditional Book to an E-Reader

Even with all the latest technological advancements, there’s nothing like curling up with a good book for many Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of American Adults still typically read books in a traditional printed format rather than on an electronic reading device like a Kindle or a Nook. Twenty-two percent (22%) use an e-reader, although that’s been on the rise from just eight percent (8%) in 2011.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 10-11, 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.

Only 20% Think Debate About Global Warming Is Over

Voters strongly believe the debate about global warming is not over yet and reject the decision by some news organizations to ban comments from those who deny that global warming is a problem.

Only 20% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the scientific debate about global warming is over, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-three percent (63%) disagree and say the debate about global warming is not over. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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.

38% Say Their Doctor Has Recommended a Lifestyle Change

Most American Adults have received a physical examination within the past 12 months, and more than a third say their doctor recommended that they change some bad habits. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of American Adults visit the doctor at least once a year, This includes 40% who visit a few times a year and nine percent (9%) who go monthly or more. Just 15% say they rarely or never visit the doctor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

66% Rate Their Health As Good or Excellent

Most American adults continue to rate their own health positively, but one-in-five say they’ve gained weight over the past six months.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of American Adults rate their own overall health as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down slightly from last year but generally in line with findings two years ago. Just seven percent (7%) say they are in poor health. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

58% Consider Fourth of July One of Nation’s Most Important Holidays

Independence Day still ranks among the most important holidays to Americans, and one-out-of-four plan to travel this holiday weekend.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of American Adults consider the Fourth of July one of the nation’s most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Only four percent (4%) look at the Fourth of July as one of the least important holidays, while 37% rate it somewhere in between.  (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 June 29-30, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

46% Say U.S. Nation With Liberty and Justice For All

While most Americans wouldn’t want to live in any other country, they remain skeptical about whether the United States is a nation “with liberty and justice for all”.

Just 46% of U.S. Adults now agree with the closing line of the Pledge of Allegiance, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just as many (45%) do not think America is a nation with liberty and justice for all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 29-30, 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.

78% Know Why We Celebrate Independence Day

A large majority of Americans is still aware that Independence Day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but they are still more shaky on one of the central tenets of that document.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 78% of American Adults know that the Fourth of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, while just eight percent (8%) think it commemorates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution instead. (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 June 27-28, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

86% Are Proud to Be American

Most U.S. adults remain proud of America and its history, but belief that the United States is mankind’s last best hope continues to fall.

Eighty-six percent (86%) of U.S. Adults are proud to be American, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just four percent (4%) disagree. (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 June 27-28, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

59% Think Summer Camp Important for Young People

School’s out, and most Americans consider summer camp a good alternative.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat important for young people to go to a summer camp. Thirty-nine percent (39%) disagree. This includes 20% who view summer camp as Very Important and 10% who say it's Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

50% Favor a Government College Rating System

President Obama plans to implement a government rating system that will tie a college's performance in several areas including the earning power of its graduates to federal student financial aid. While Americans like the idea of a government rating system for colleges, they don’t trust the government to do it fairly.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults favor a government college rating system. Twenty-eight percent (28%) oppose such a rating system, while 22% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 23-24, 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. 

33% Say Government Should Forgive Student Loans After A Certain Period of Time

President Obama recently announced that he will use his executive power to expand debt relief programs for those with student loans, including loan forgiveness after 10 or 20 years in the workforce. Americans are only slightly more supportive of forgiving loans after a given period of time than they are of forgiving all student loans, and most say lowering tuition costs would do more for college students than making loans easier to access.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 21% of American Adults think the federal government should forgive all student loans. This finding is unchanged in surveys going to back to 2011. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of adults think the federal government should not forgive all students loans, also in line with findings from 2011. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 23-24, 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.

54% Say There’s Too Much Emphasis on Standardized Testing in Schools

Americans continue to believe standardized testing should not be the chief measure of how well a school is performing. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults think schools place too much emphasis on standardized testing these days. That's up five points from 49% in November. Only 17% don’t think schools place enough emphasis on standardized testing, while just as many (15%) think the level of emphasis is about right. Another 14% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 21-22, 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.

60% Don’t Think Washington Redskins Should Change Their Name

The Washington Redskins professional football team is under growing pressure from Native American activists and politicians from President Obama on down to change its name. Last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in a two-to-one vote canceled the team’s trademark on the grounds that it is “disparaging to Native Americans.” But most Americans nationwide agree with the team's owner Daniel Snyder that a name change is not necessary, and those who follow pro football the most are even more opposed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% of American Adults believe the Washington Redskins should change their name in light of complaints that it is offensive. Sixty percent (60%) don’t think the team should change its name. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 19-20, 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 Still Think Soccer Has A Long Way To Go in U.S.

While nearly eight million people tuned into Monday’s U.S. vs. Ghana World Cup match, Americans do not think soccer will reach the level of popularity it has around the world any time soon in this country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of American Adults think that, in five years, soccer will be as popular in the United States as it is around the world. Fifty-nine percent (59%) say soccer will not reach the same heights of popularity in America in that time period. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 17-18, 2014 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.