Lifestyle

27% Say Sanctions Given to Penn State Too Severe

Americans strongly believe football programs have too much influence over their colleges and universities, and 20% think the NCAA didn't go far enough when it punished Penn State for ignoring longstanding child molestation charges against a popular football coach.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% of American Adults feel the sanctions on the Penn State football program are too severe. Thirty-six percent (36%) believe the level of punishment is about right. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

77% Say U.S. Athletes Excelling in Olympics Makes Them Proud To Be Americans

More than half of adults nationwide are likely to watch a large portion of the Summer Olympics that begin this Friday in London, and even more say they feel pride when American athletes do well in the games.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 77% of American Adults say that when U.S. athletes excel in the Olympics, it makes them feel proud to be Americans. Just 15% don’t share this sentiment. (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 July 20-21, 2012 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 Have Had Blood Pressure, Cholesterol Checked In Past Six Months

More Americans have had their blood pressure checked in the past six months than their cholesterol, and roughly a third have been told those levels are high.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of American Adults have had their blood pressure checked in the last six months, while 61% have done the same with their cholesterol.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 14-15, 2012 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 Own Health As Good Or Excellent

Most Americans continue to give their own health positive ratings, but a sizable number say their doctor has recommended a lifestyle change for them in the past year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults rate their own health as good or excellent these days, while only nine percent (9%) say they're in poor health.  (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 July 14-15, 2012 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.

42% Say They Cheated on a Test or Exam in School

New York City's school system is the latest to be hit with a major cheating scandal, but Americans nationwide believe most students cheat at least one time in school. A sizable number admits to cheating themselves.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 70% believe most students cheat at least once in school. Just 12% disagree with that assessment, but 17% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 12-13, 2012 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% Are Happy With Their Lives

Most Americans are happy with their lives and don't think money made them that way. But the majority also think rich people earned what they have by working for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults are not happy with how their lives are going. But two-out-of-three (66%) disagree and are happy with their lives. 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 10-11, 2012 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 Define $50,000-A-Year As Middle Income

So how much money do you have to earn to be a part of the middle class, and when would most Americans consider you wealthy?

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults consider $50,000 a year middle income, while 32% describe it as lower income. That hasn’t changed since the last time Rasmussen reports asked these questions in March 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 10-11, 2012 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.

MLB All-Star Game: 51% Predict American League Win, 41% Pick National League

Most baseball fans have no problem with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game determining which league’s team gets home field advantage in the World Series, and just over half predict the American League team will pick up that advantage tonight.

The survey of 639 Baseball Fans was conducted on July 5, 2012 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.

35% of Baseball Fans Say Josh Hamilton AL MVP So Far, NL Wide Open

Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton is running away with the vote for American League Most Valuable Player at this season’s halfway point, but the National League honor is still up for grabs. Thirty-five percent (35%) of Baseball Fans say Hamilton has been the AL MVP so far this season, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. a New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is a distant second with 16% of the vote. Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is viewed as the MVP by 11% of fans. No other top performers draw five percent (5%) of the vote. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 639 Baseball Fans was conducted on July 5, 2012 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.

Texas Rangers Favored To Win 2012 World Series

With the All-Star break starting tomorrow, the Texas Rangers are now the team fans think will win the 2012  World Series Championship. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of Baseball Fans think it’s likely the Rangers will win this year’s World Series after two straight unsuccessful appearances the past two seasons.    

The survey of 639 Baseball Fans was conducted on July 5, 2012 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.

24% of Dieters Have Used Pills to Lose Weight

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new weight-loss pill for the first time in 13 years, and this could be useful news for a quarter of Americans who say they have used such pills in the past while dieting.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of American Adults who have been on a diet to lose weight have used a weight-loss drug to help them do so. Seventy-five percent (75%) have not. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 28-29, 2012 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.

49% Likely To Watch Summer Olympics

Slightly fewer Americans plan to watch the Olympics this summer, but more than ever feel it’s important for the United States to come out on top. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults are at least somewhat likely to watch a large portion of the Summer Olympics coverage on television. Fifty percent (50%) say they are unlikely to tune in.  These figures include 25% who are Very Likely to watch the London-based event and 19% who are Not At All Likely to watch.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 28-29, 2012 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.

84% Are Proud To Be Americans

Most adults in this country are proud to call themselves Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 84% of Adults feel that way. Just seven percent (7%) don't share that pride in being American, but another nine percent (9%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

64% Rate Fourth of July As One of America's Most Important Holidays

Americans continue to consider the Fourth of July one of the nation’s most important holidays, and they plan to celebrate with friends and family again this year.

As they have for in surveys for years, most American Adults (64%) rate Independence Day as one of the country’s most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. It's second, in fact, only to Christmas. Just two percent (2%) say it is one of the least important holidays, while a third (33%) think it’s somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This nationwide survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 2, 2012 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 continue to consider the Fourth of July one of the nation’s most important holidays, and they plan to celebrate with friends and family again this year.

53% Say America Nation With Liberty, Justice For All

To display their loyalty to the United States, Americans recite the Pledge of Allegiance, ending with the key phrase “with liberty and justice for all.”  But just over half of Americans actually believe that to be true. That said, a lot more wouldn't live anywhere else in the world.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of American Adults agree that the United States is a nation with liberty and justice for all, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Forty percent (40%) disagree and say the United States is not like that.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 2, 2012 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.

74% Know July Fourth Celebrates Adoption of the Declaration of Independence

Most Americans correctly identify the Fourth of July as the day the nation ratified the Declaration of Independence, but they cannot accurately identify one of the founding document's key provisions. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults say the Fourth of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Nine percent (9%) feel Independence Day celebrates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, but another 17% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 30-July 1, 2012 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 43% Now Believe America Is The Last Best Hope of Mankind

Americans continue to believe strongly that their nation offers them more opportunities than any other country in the world, but they’re not nearly as confident in America’s place in the world.

Just 43% of American Adults now view the United States as the last best hope of mankind, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down from 51% who felt that way in May 2010. Thirty percent (30%) say America is not the last best hope of mankind, as Ronald Reagan famously described it, but nearly as many (27%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 30-July 1, 2012 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.

17% Say Lance Armstrong Guilty of Using Performance Enhancing Drugs

Seven-time Tour de France winning cyclist Lance Armstrong is again facing charges that he used banned performance-enhancing substances during his improbable championship run. However, most Americans view the cyclist favorably, and a sizable number think he is not guilty of using those drugs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 17% believe Armstrong is guilty of taking illegal drugs to improve his athletic performance. Thirty-nine percent (39%) don’t think Armstrong took illegal drugs to enhance his performance, but a substantial 44% 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 20-21, 2012 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.

20% Say Roger Clemens Should Be Banned From Baseball Hall of Fame

Pitching great Roger Clemens was acquitted this week of charges that he lied to Congress about using performance-enhancing drugs. Americans don’t feel strongly about his guilt or innocence, but one in five believe the seven-time Cy Young winner should be banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that despite his impressive pitching record 20% of American Adults believe Clemens should be banned from the Hall of Fame. Forty-nine percent (49%) don’t think Clemens should be banned from Cooperstown, but another 31% 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 20-21, 2012 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.

17% Think Father’s Day Is One of America’s Most Important Holidays

Father’s Day still ranks pretty low in terms of the nation’s holidays, but Americans continue to feel strongly that being a father is the most important role a man can fill.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% of American Adults consider Father’s Day one of America’s most important holidays. Twenty-three percent (23%) rate it as one of the least important holidays, while 59% place it somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This nationwide survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 14-15, 2012 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.