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13% Say Federal Government Should Hire Long-Term Unemployed

Americans continue to believe the government should minimize its role in the long-term unemployment situation. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 13% of American Adults say if people cannot find work after an extended period of time, the federal government should hire them.  Eleven percent (11%) believes their unemployment benefits should be extended indefinitely. But 31% feel the government should only pay for their retraining, while 34% think the government should do nothing at all for the long-term unemployed. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 29-30, 2013 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.

71% Say Private Sector Employees Work Harder Than Government Employees

Americans continue to believe private sector workers work harder for less money and have less job security than government workers do.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults think workers in the private sector work harder than government workers, the highest finding to date. That’s up from 67% in February. Just five percent (5%) think government employees work harder, but one-in-four (24%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 29-30, 2013 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% Know Someone Out of Work and Looking For Employment

The bad news is that two-out-of-three Americans still know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. The good news is that the percentage of these Americans is at its lowest level in several years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. That's down three points from 69% last month. Two years ago, 75% knew someone in this situation.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 29-30, 2013 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.

35% Say Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House in Their Area

Even though an increasing number of Americans think now is a good time to sell a home in their area, belief that owning a home is a family’s best investment is down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe buying a home is the best investment a family can make. That’s down from 53% in May and is the lowest level measured since July 2012. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think a home is not a family's best investment, and just as many (28%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 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.

24% Say Their Home is Worth Less Than When They Bought It

Most homeowners still say their home is worth more than when they bought it, but one-in-four now say it’s worth less.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of U.S. Homeowners say that, compared to when they bought it, their home is now worth more. That’s down from 58% in April which tied the highest level measured since October 2011. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% say their home is now worth less than when they bought it, up from 20% in April and the highest since October. Eighteen percent (18%) say their home is worth about the same as when they bought it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 708 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

37% Expect Their Home To Be Worth More A Year From Now

The number of homeowners who say their home is worth more than what they still owe is down this month, but confidence in the short-term housing market remains higher than it has been in several years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 50% of U.S. homeowners now say their home is worth more than they still owe on their mortgage. That’s down 10 points from 60% in May which was the highest finding so far this year and tied a high reached only once before in four years of regular surveying.   Thirty-three percent (33%) still say they owe more than their home is worth, generally consistent with regular surveying since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 708 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on June 25-26, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

65% Think Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy

Concern that the government will do too much to help the economy is at its highest level since last fall.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters are more worried that the federal government will do too much rather than not enough in reacting to the nation’s economic problems. That's up from 39% in March and the highest level of concern since September.  Slightly more (48%) still fear that the government won’t do enough to help the economy.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 18-19, 2013 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% Are Somewhat Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation Down

The Federal Reserve Board issued a more optimistic analysis of the economy than expected earlier this week, but Americans still don't have much confidence in the Fed to keep inflation under control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 74% of Americans remain concerned about inflation. That includes 39% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not very or Not At All Concerned. This is generally in line with attitudes for the past year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 15-16, 2013 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% Predict Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Most Americans say they are paying about the same amount in interest rates compared to last year, but half now expect those rates to rise over the next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% of American adults say they are paying higher interest rates than they were last year, the lowest level measured since October.  Nearly as many (14%) are paying lower interest rates compared to last year, while 62% are paying about the same amount.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)  

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 15-16, 2013 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.

53% Are Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the stability of U.S. banks is back over 50% again.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 53% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, although that includes just 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-eight percent (48%) don’t share that confidence, with 10% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 15-16, 2013 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% Feel Their Company Values Them As An Employee

Many working Americans would recommend their company as a good place to work, which may be in part because most feel their company values them as an employee.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-thirds of Employed Americans (66%) feels like their company values them as an employee. Twenty percent (20%) do not think their company values them, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 613 Employed Adults was conducted on June 9-10, 2013 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.

71% Would Recommend Their Company as a Good Place to Work

Most working Americans like their jobs, so it’s no surprise that they’d recommend their company as a good place to work.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Employed Americans would recommend their company, while just 17% would not. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 613 Employed Adults was conducted on June 9-10, 2013 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.

20% of Workers Have Been Turned Down For A Job in Past Year

One-in-five working Americans say they've been passed over for a job in the past year, but nearly as many say they’ve turned down a job offer in the same period.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 20% of Employed Adults have been turned down for a job in the last 12 months. At the same time, 17% say they have turned down a job offer in the past year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 602 Employed Adults was conducted on June 7-8, 2013 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.

76% Are Satisfied With Their Current Job

Most working Americans have been with the same company for at least five years and remain satisfied with their current employment situation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of Employed Adults are at least somewhat satisfied with their current job, including 31% who are Very Satisfied.  Twenty-two percent (22%) are unsatisfied, but that includes just three percent (3%) who are Not At All Satisfied with their current employer.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 602 Employed Adults was conducted on June 7-8, 2013 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.

66% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Most working Americans consider themselves part of the middle class, while the fewest in a year now view themselves as wealthy. Those who feel they are among the working poor remain at an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-thirds (66%) of Employed Adults consider themselves middle class. Just one percent (1%) now consider themselves wealthy, the lowest finding since May 2012. But 22% now describe themselves as upper middle class, the highest since then. Only eight percent (8%) regard themselves as among the working poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 644 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 2013 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.

80% Say It Will Be Difficult for Young People To Find Summer Jobs

Most Americans think it is important for young people to have a job during their summer break from school, but they also recognize that may be easier said than done. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 94% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat important for young people to have jobs during the summer when they are out of school, including 66% who feel it’s Very Important.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 30-31, 2013 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.

68% Say Rewarding Hard Work More Important Than Income Equality

In the minds of most voters, a fair economy will reward those who work hard and are successful.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) say rewarding hard work is a top priority even if it leads to big differences between rich and poor. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe insuring equality of income and wealth is more important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 31-June 1, 2013 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.

79% Say It Will Be Their Choice to Leave Current Job

A plurality of workers plan on staying with their current company for at least five years, but when they do leave, most say it will be on their terms.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Employed Adults intend to work for their current employer for more than five years, down from 40% in March and the lowest since November 2012. Twenty-one percent (21%) plan on staying at their current job for one to five years, up from 14% in March and the highest since July. Just seven percent (7%) intend to stay with their current employer for less than a year, but 35% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 644 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 2013 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.

33% Say Now’s a Good Time to Sell a Home in Their Area

As confidence among homeowners improves, more Americans than ever say now is a good time for someone to sell a house where they live.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of U.S. Adults believe now is a good time for someone in their area to sell a home. That’s up three points from last month and the highest level measured in more than four years of regular tracking. But 45% still say now is not the time to sell a home in their area. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 24-25, 2013 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.

New High: 70% Think Struggling Homeowners Should Downsize

More Americans than ever believe that homeowners who can’t afford their mortgage payments should downsize rather than receive assistance from the government.

Just 18% of American Adults believe that if someone can’t afford his or her mortgage payments, it’s better for the government to assist in making those payments, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy percent (70%) believe those struggling homeowners should sell their homes and buy less expensive ones. Twelve percent (12%) 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 Adults was conducted on May 24-25, 2013 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.