If it's in the News, it's in our Polls. Public opinion polling since 2003.

Business

Most Recent Releases

October 10, 2011

56% of GOP Voters Like Cain’s ‘9-9-9’ Tax Reform Plan

Voters aren’t well versed on surging Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain’s “9-9-9” tax reform plan, but most agree that if it becomes law, Congress won’t wait long to raise the tax rates higher.

October 6, 2011

32% Say Government Should Do Nothing for the Long-Term Unemployed

Americans continue to have mixed feelings about how the government should respond to the long-term unemployed. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 32% feel the government should do nothing at all, while 25% think it should pay for their retraining. Ten percent (10%) say the government should extend unemployment benefits indefinitely, and 21% think the government should hire those long out of work, down from June's high-to-date of 24%.

October 6, 2011

60% Oppose Financial Bailouts; 74% Say Wall Street Benefited Most

The bailouts of the financial industry still leave a sour taste in the mouths of most Americans who feel as strongly as ever that the government was looking out for bankers rather than taxpayers and that crimes on Wall Street remain unpunished.

October 5, 2011

26% Have Favorable Opinion of Bernanke, 51% Unfavorable

Half of Americans nationwide believe the Federal Reserve Board chairman has too much power over the economy. Meanwhile, favorability ratings for current Chairman Ben Bernanke are at their lowest level yet recorded.

October 5, 2011

Public Divided on Occupy Wall Street Protesters

As they marched through Manhattan, they chanted of how the “Big Banks Got Bailed Out, We Got Left Behind.” The Occupy Wall Street protesters found a slogan that resonates with the American people but not many people embrace the protesters views of an economy more regulated by the government.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Americans agree with the statement that the “The big banks got bailed but the middle class got left behind." A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American adults found that just 10% disagree with that statement and 11% are not sure.

October 5, 2011

36% Expect More Unemployment One Year From Today, 21% Expect Less

As 2011 rolls along, Americans have become far more pessimistic about the employment outlook.

October 4, 2011

Only 29% Think U.S. Has World's Best Economy

Perhaps these views are driven in part by the increased skepticism that Americans have about President Obama's economic advisers. Just 31% are at least somewhat confident in those who advise the president on economic policy, with only 14% who are Very Confident. Sixty-three percent (63%) lack confidence in the president’s economic advisers, including 44% who are Not At All Confident in them.

The number of adults confident in Obama’s economic advisers has fallen from 41% in September 2010. Fifty-seven percent (57%) put little or not faith in those advisers at that time.

White letter R on blue background
October 3, 2011

Rasmussen Employment Index Inches Up Slightly In September

The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market each month, regained some lost ground in September following August’s 2011 low.

At 73.4, the Employment Index is up four points from August but is still down four points from the beginning of 2011 and down 10 points since last November when hiring expectations peaked.  Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government reports on job creation will be better than prior months.

October 3, 2011

51% Still Say Bailouts of GM and Chrysler Were A Bad Idea

From their beginning in 2008, the bailouts for Wall Street and the auto industry have been among the most unpopular government actions in recent American history. New polling shows that even after three years, the attitudes haven’t changed all that much.

September 30, 2011

50% Less Likely to Buy GM Because of Bailout

Federal bailout funding may have prevented General Motors from going through a normal bankruptcy process, but it has come at a significant price in terms of reputation and potential buyers.

White letter R on blue background
September 29, 2011

Ford Enjoys Best Public Perception Among Big Three Auto Companies

Ever since General Motors and Chrysler accepted government bailouts, Ford has been the nation’s most popular auto manufacturer.

September 28, 2011

If Taxes Hiked to Reduce Deficit, 62% Think It Will Be Spent on New Programs

Americans think tax hikes are more likely than spending cuts in any deficit reduction deal that comes out of Congress and are more convinced than ever that any new tax monies will be spent on new government programs.

White letter R on blue background
September 26, 2011

73% See Significant Deficit-Cutting Agreement As Unlikely Before 2012 Election

Regardless of their views on the content of any major deficit reduction plan, voters do not expect any significant reduction in federal government spending before next year’s election.

White letter R on blue background
September 24, 2011

Just 22% Support Government-Assisted Mortgage Payments

Most Americans still don’t believe the government should help those who can’t afford to make their mortgage payments.

White letter R on blue background
September 23, 2011

50% Favor Mix of Cuts, Taxes To Reduce Deficit, But 64% Oppose Paying Higher Taxes

Fifty percent (50%) of Americans think President Obama and Congress should consider a mix of spending cuts and tax increases in looking for ways to cut the federal deficit, but nearly two-out-of-three adults (64%) are unwilling to pay higher taxes themselves to reduce that deficit.

White letter R on blue background
September 21, 2011

48% See Home-Buying As Family’s Best Investment

For the fourth straight month, less than half of adults nationwide believe buying a home is the best possible investment for a family.

White letter R on blue background
September 20, 2011

New High: 37% Say Their Home Is Worth Less Than Remaining Mortgage Payments

The percentage of American homeowners whose home is worth less than what they still owe on it has hit the highest level in nearly three years.

White letter R on blue background
September 19, 2011

New High: 40% Expect Their Home’s Value To Decrease Over Next Year

Homeowners remain very pessimistic about the potential short- and long-term values of their homes.

White letter R on blue background
September 17, 2011

New Low: 23% Say They Owe More Money Than A Year Ago

While the economy continues to stumble along, fewer Americans than ever report they owe more money than they did a year ago.

White letter R on blue background
September 16, 2011

48% See No Further Need for Labor Unions, 30% Disagree

Half of American Adults (48%) think labor unions have outlasted their usefulness, but there’s a sharp difference of opinion between Republicans and Democrats on the question.