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Most Recent Releases

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February 4, 2009

Support for Stimulus Package Falls to 37%

Support for the economic recovery plan working its way through Congress has fallen again this week. For the first time, a plurality of voters nationwide oppose the $800-billion-plus plan.

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February 4, 2009

Discover (R) U.S. Spending Monitor (SM) Rises 1.2 Points; First Upturn in Five Months

The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor rose 1.2 points in January, mainly due to a slight increase in economic confidence from consumers. The rise in optimism was largely offset by continued restraint on spending intentions, as consumers, buffeted by dismal housing, labor and financial news continue to keep a tight hold on their purse strings.

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February 3, 2009

Big Three Automakers Much Less Popular, Seen As Less Essential To Economy

Americans have a much dimmer view of each of the Big Three automakers than they did two years ago, but 41% still believe the U.S. automobile industry is very important to the financial stability of the overall economy. That, however, is down from 49% in 2007.

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February 3, 2009

Employment Index Falls to Record Low for Fourth Straight Month

The Rasmussen Employment Index, a monthly measure of U.S. worker confidence in the employment market, fell six more points in January to 61.1. That’s the fourth straight month that the Index has fallen to a record low. Since September, workplace confidence has fallen 27 points.

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February 2, 2009

88% Say No To Bonuses for Bailed-out Execs

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of American adults say the executives of companies that need federal money to stay in business should not receive bonuses. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that only eight percent (8%) believe the bonuses are okay while five percent (5%) are not sure.

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January 29, 2009

Public Support for Economic Recovery Plan Slips to 42%

Public support for the economic recovery plan crafted by President Obama and congressional Democrats has slipped a bit over the past week. At the same time, expectations that the plan will quickly become law have increased.

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January 29, 2009

61% of Workers Say Choice To Change Jobs Is Theirs

Sixty-one percent (61%) of American workers say that if they leave their current job, it will be their choice, a significant drop in confidence from four years ago.

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January 28, 2009

37% Say Government Job Is A Good Idea Right Now

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of Americans say it is better to work for the government than in the private sector in the current economic climate.

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January 28, 2009

Most Say Tax Cuts Always Better Than Increased Spending

Paul Krugman, last year's winner of the Nobel Prize for economics and a regular columnist for the New York Times, recently wrote that you should “write off anyone who asserts that it’s always better to cut taxes than to increase government spending because taxpayers, not bureaucrats, are the best judges of how to spend their money.”

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January 27, 2009

57% Say Tax Cuts Will Help Economy

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters nationwide say that tax cuts generally help the economy. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that only 17% disagree and believe that tax cuts will hurt the economy.

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January 21, 2009

41% Say Apple Is Okay Without Steve Jobs

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has had the business world in a tizzy for months wondering about his mysterious illness, but 41% of Americans say the innovative technology company he co-founded will do fine without him.

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January 16, 2009

TARP Vote Reflects Voter Shifts As Well

The U.S. Senate on Thursday, at the urging of President Bush and President-elect Obama, released the second half of the $700 billion financial sector rescue plan, approved last October and known officially as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

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January 16, 2009

74% Say Madoff Should End His Days In Jail

Will he or won’t he – go to jail for life, that is?

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January 14, 2009

Most Americans Say Leaders Clueless On The Economy

Just 37% of Americans are even somewhat confident that their political leaders know what they’re doing as they try to address the nation’s economic problems.

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January 13, 2009

Americans Strongly Oppose Economic Plan Without Tax Cuts

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of American adults are opposed to a government economic recovery plan that does not cut taxes, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

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January 9, 2009

Despite Tax Cut Proposal, Only 21% Expect Lower Taxes Under Obama

Despite the fact that President-elect Barack Obama promised billions of dollars in tax breaks as part of his economic plan, just 21% believe their taxes will go down during his presidency.

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January 8, 2009

62% Say Economy Will Be Back and Better – In Five Years

Americans are solidly optimistic about the economy’s recovery, but most expect it to take up to five years to come back.

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January 7, 2009

54% Think Major Government Plan Is A Must for the Economy

A majority of voters (54%) believe a major government economic recovery plan is necessary to restore the U.S. economy to good health.

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January 7, 2009

Discover (R) U.S. Spending Monitor (SM) Tumbles 3.1 Points to New Low

The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor fell for the fourth consecutive month in December, declining more than three points to a new low of 76.6 (based out of 100). Both components of the monthly spending index - consumer confidence in the U.S. economy and consumer spending intent - reached new lows during the month, as concerns about the economy may be weighing on post-holiday spending plans.

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January 6, 2009

Most Say Jobs Are Still In Reach But Riches Aren’t

A majority of Americans say it’s still possible for anyone who wants to work to find a job and work themselves out of poverty.