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63% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Most working Americans continue to classify themselves as middle class, but the number of working poor remains at a near four year low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Employed Adults consider themselves middle class. Twenty-one percent (21%) see themselves as upper middle class, while just three percent (3%) view themselves as wealthy. Eight percent (8%) regard themselves as the working poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 640 Employed Adults was conducted on March 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.

62% Think U.S. Economy Fair to Blacks, Hispanics

Most voters continue to believe the U.S. economy is fair to women, blacks and Hispanics but are now evenly divided when asked if it’s fair to lower-income Americans. However, they still think all four are treated better than the middle class.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think the economy is at least somewhat fair to women, but that includes only 15% who say it’s Very Fair. Thirty-four percent (34%) believe it’s unfair to women, with seven percent (7%) who feel it is Not At All Fair. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 6-7, 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.

37% Think Current Employer Is Best Chance for Advancement

Fewer working Americans than ever now see staying put at their current company as the best way to get ahead in their career, but most are still not searching for a new job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Employed Adults think the best opportunity for career advancement is to stay within their current employer. This figure is down from 47% in early January and is the lowest level measured since regular tracking began in mid-July 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 640 Employed Adults was conducted on March 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.

35% Think U.S. Economy Fair to Middle Class

Fewer voters than ever now think the U.S. economy is fair to the middle class. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely Voters believe the economy is at least somewhat fair to middle-class Americans, but that includes only six percent (6%) who think it’s Very Fair.  Sixty-two percent (62%) think the economy is not fair to the middle class, with 20% who feel it’s Not At All Fair.  (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 Likely Voters was conducted on March 6-7, 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.

22% Favor Eliminating All Deductions To Lower Income Tax Rates

Not many Americans favor the elimination of all income tax deductions in exchange for lower tax rates. Most think the wealthy are less likely to contribute to charity if their deductions are reduced.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that wealthy Americans will give less money to charity if deductions for charitable donations are reduced. This finding is up slightly from early April 2009 when 66% believed that to be true. Just 18% think it’s unlikely wealthy Americans would donate less money if deductions are reduced. This includes 44% who say it’s Very Likely the rich would donate less, compared to only four percent (4%) who believe it’s Not At All Likely.  (To see survey questions wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 3-4, 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.

58% Worry That Government Spending Won’t Be Cut Enough

As Congress and President Obama struggle over ways to reduce the federal budget deficit, most Americans worry that they will raise taxes too much and won’t cut spending enough.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters are worried most that Congress and the president will raise taxes too much rather than that they won’t raise taxes enough. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are most worried that Congress and the president won’t raise taxes enough. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 4-5, 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.

50% Favor Everyone Paying Same Share of Income in Taxes

Americans continue to feel the middle class pays more in taxes percentagewise than the wealthy do but are less enthusiastic about everyone paying the same percentage of their income in taxes.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Adults believe middle-class Americans pay a larger share of their income in taxes than the wealthy do. Only 28% disagree and think wealthy Americans pay a bigger share of their income in taxes. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 3-4, 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.

50% Think Spending Increases Hurt The Economy

Voters continue to believe it's better to cut taxes and spending than to raise them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters think increases in government spending help the economy. Nearly twice as many (50%) believe spending increases hurt the economy. Nine percent (9%) feel they have no impact, while 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28-March 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.

20% Think Stock Market Will Be Higher A Year From Now

With short-term and long-term confidence in the U.S. economy at record lows, Americans don’t have much hope for the stock and housing markets either. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 20% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher a year from now.  Thirty-one percent (31%) think the stock market will be lower, while 34% predict that it will be about the same.  Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 1-2, 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.

38% Have Filed Their Income Taxes Already

Americans appear to be keeping pace with last year when it comes to paying their income taxes, but they’re more optimistic about getting a refund this year.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of American Adults have filed their income taxes already. Fifty-two percent (52%) have yet to file but plan to do so by the April 15 deadline. Four percent (4%) plan to get an extension. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 3-4, 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% Think Sequester Didn’t Cut Government Spending Enough

Despite the warning cries from official Washington over the sequester cuts in government spending, a sizable number of voters think the cuts didn’t go far enough. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the sequester didn’t cut federal spending enough. Only 26% think spending was cut too much, while 10% believe the level of cuts was about right. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 2-3, 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.

New Low: 25% Say U.S. Economy Will Be Stronger In One Year

Like long-term economic confidence a month ago, short-term confidence in the U.S. economy is now at a new low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults now think the economy will be stronger a year from today. Nearly twice as many (48%) believe it will be weaker in a year's time. Eighteen percent (18%) expect it to be about the same.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(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 March 1-2, 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.

44% Think Sequester Will Have No Impact or a Positive One on Their Lives

Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the sequester spending cuts will have a positive impact or no impact on their own lives in the long term. This includes 18% who view the cuts as a positive, although just five percent (5%) think they will have a Very Positive impact in terms of their own lives.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% predict the sequester cuts will have a long-term negative impact on their lives, with nine percent (9%) who say it will be Very Negative. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 2-3, 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% Rate Free Market Policies More Important Than Closing Income Gap

Voters rate policies that promote the free market as more important than ones that reduce the income gap between rich and poor, but Republicans and Democrats don’t see eye to eye. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of all Likely U.S. Voters view economic policies that allow and encourage free market competition to be at least somewhat important, including 47% who regard them as Very Important. Just eight percent (8%) say free market-oriented policies are not very or Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 24-25, 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.

86% Think Fair Employers Attract Best Workers

Most Americans (86%) agree that companies that treat their employees fairly attract the best workers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) disagree, while another nine percent (9%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge!  Answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 27.

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This national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 23-24, 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.

54% Say Raising Taxes More Likely To Hurt Economy Than Spending Cuts

Most voters continue to see raising taxes as worse for the nation’s economy than cutting government spending. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely Voters think raising taxes is more likely to hurt the economy than cutting government spending. Twenty-seven percent (27%) see cutting spending as worse, while 11% say neither will hurt the economy. (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 February 24-25, 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.

Only 41% View Economy As Fair to Those Willing to Work Hard

Most Americans may believe a middle-class lifestyle is within reach, but they still question the fairness of the economy to those who are willing to work hard. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 41% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. economy is at least somewhat fair to people who are willing to work hard, while 53% disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! Answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 27.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 24-25, 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.

48% Think Health Care Law Will Hurt Economy More Than Spending Cuts, 29% Disagree

Despite the inside-the-Beltway warnings about the economic impact of the impending sequester spending cuts, voters are more worried about what President Obama’s new health care law will do to the economy. Forty-eight percent (48%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the health care law is more likely to hurt the economy than cutting government spending. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% believe spending cuts will hurt the economy more. Fifteen percent (15%) think neither will hurt economically. (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 February 24-25, 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.

45% Think Deficit Should Be Reduced By Spending Cuts Alone

A plurality of voters continues to believe spending cuts alone are the best way to reduce the federal deficit. But even among those who favor a “balanced approach” of tax hikes and spending cuts instead, a sizable number want more emphasis on spending cuts.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Likely U.S. Voters think, generally speaking, that the long-term federal budget deficit should be reduced by cutting spending, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Only six percent (6%) feel the deficit should be reduced by raising taxes alone. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 24-25, 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.

Most Voters Still Understand Sequester Cuts Aren’t Cuts in Current Spending

The longer and louder the political debate in Washington, D.C. gets, it seems the less voters know. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly one-in-four Likely U.S. Voters (23%) now think the automatic government spending cuts scheduled to take effect on Friday will cut the current level of federal spending. That’s up six points from 17% at the beginning of this month.

Fifty-four percent (54%) recognize that the so-called sequester cuts will merely reduce the growth of future spending. That’s down slightly from 58% in early February. Twenty-three percent (23%) still aren’t 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 February 22-23, 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.