Economic Optimism At Lowest Levels In Over Two Years
Just days after the government's announcement that unemployment has risen to 9.1%, short- and long-term confidence in the U.S. economy are at the lowest levels of the Obama presidency.
Business
Most Recent Releases
June 7, 2011
June 7, 2011
Six Sneaky Ways States Are Raising Small-Business Taxes By Cliff Ennico
It's no secret that state and local governments are hard up for money. Even with the economy improving somewhat and tax revenues increasing, most American states right now are facing budget shortfalls.
June 6, 2011
47% Worry Government Will Do Too Much To Help Economy
Voters remain narrowly divided over how much the government should get involved in trying to turn around the U.S. economy.
June 6, 2011
34% Say It’s Good for the Economy If Government Hires More
One-out-of-three Americans think it’s good for the U.S. economy if the government puts more people on the payroll, but most adults still don’t see government as the solution to long-term unemployment.
June 4, 2011
89% Say New Graduates Will Have Tough Time Finding a Job
With most college graduations over and high school graduations in progress, the impending entry into the “real world” is on the minds of many young adults, and often, the first thought is finding a job. But Americans overwhelmingly believe that won't be easy for this year's graduates.
June 3, 2011
Most Voters Still Think Tax Cuts, Spending Decreases Benefit Economy
Most voters continue to feel that tax cuts and decreases in government spending help the U.S. economy.
June 3, 2011
31% Expect Unemployment Rate To Be Even Higher A Year From Now
Even as the government releases a new report showing surprisingly little job creation in May and an increase in the unemployment rate, nearly one-out-of-three Americans predict that the unemployment rate will be higher a year from now.
June 1, 2011
64% Say Government Hasn’t Been Tough Enough On Wall Street
Many Americans believe the country's economic meltdown was primarily due to criminal behavior by some financial executives, and a sizable majority feel the federal government has not been aggressive enough in pursuing criminal behavior by top Wall Street executives.
May 31, 2011
Employment Index Makes Small Gain in May
The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market each month, gained another two points in May after a five-point recovery last month from March’s recent low.
May 31, 2011
68% Say Bank Bailout Money Went To Those Who Caused Meltdown
Americans still look back unfavorably on the federal government bailout of the financial industry and think the billions in taxpayer money went to those who caused the financial meltdown.
May 31, 2011
A Securities Law Primer For Startups (Part 2 of 2) By Cliff Ennico
Sadly, the securities laws don't make it easy for small startups to raise capital from lots of "little" investors. So how do you structure a startup when
-- You've got lots of people involved, some putting in money, others putting in "sweat equity" and still others providing both
-- You are looking to raise only a small amount of money (less than $250,000) to launch the business?
-- You cannot afford the services of a qualified securities attorney?
May 24, 2011
47% See Major Changes in Defense, Social Security, Medicare As Necessary to Big Budget Cuts, 36% Don’t
Most voters know they want to cut government spending in a serious way, but despite the ongoing national budget-cutting debate, they don’t seem to recognize what that’s going to take.
May 24, 2011
74% Favor Banning Regulators From Working For Those They Regulate For At Least Five Years
Americans overwhelmingly believe that government regulators should be banned from working for companies they regulate for at least five years. A sizable number also think companies that offer jobs to regulators should be banned from doing business with the government altogether.
May 24, 2011
A Securities Law Primer for Startups (Part 1 of 2) By Cliff Ennico
"Some friends of mine and I are forming a limited liability company to develop and market a mobile phone software application. There are 12 of us in total, and we live in three different states. Five of us will be developing the product in our spare time without putting in any money. Three of us just want to put in money without getting involved in running the company, while the remaining four will be putting in money as well as doing some consulting work to develop and market the product. Our lawyer has told us we will have problems setting up this company because of the federal securities laws. Say what? We're only looking to raise about $25,000."
May 23, 2011
51% Think It’s Bribery When A Company Offers A Government Regulator A Job
The “revolving door” is a standard feature in Washington, D.C., with people regularly going back and forth between government and private industry jobs. The practice raises conflict-of-interest questions but is generally quite legal. Voters, however, think it smacks of bribery.
May 18, 2011
52% See Home-Buying As Family’s Best Investment
While just over half of American adults still believe buying a home is a family’s best investment, very few would recommend selling a home in the current market.
May 17, 2011
Just 51% of Homeowners Believe Their Home is Worth More Than Mortgage
Only half of Adult Homeowners say their house is worth more than what they still owe on their mortgage, but most have not missed or been late on a mortgage payment in the past six months.
May 17, 2011
A 'Rich Guy' Speaks Out Against Higher Taxes (Part 2 of 2) By Cliff Ennico
In case you've forgotten who I am since last week, my name is Joe, and I make exactly $250,000 per year before taxes -- one of the so-called "rich people" whose taxes should be raised in order to redress what many otherwise smart people view as an "income inequality" that threatens the very fabric of American life.
May 16, 2011
Just 15% of Homeowners Expect Value of Home to Go Up This Year
Homeowners continue to be skeptical about the value of their home in the short-term and even long-term confidence is limited.
May 12, 2011
54% Expect Higher Interest Rates A Year From Now
Most American adults continue to believe interest rates will be higher in one year's time, but a majority says the rates they're paying now haven't changed over the past year.
