General Lifestyle

Americans Losing Confidence in Feds, Public Health System to Handle Ebola

While Americans aren’t exactly panicking over Ebola, they have become slightly more critical of the federal government’s response and slightly less confident that the public health system will be able to contain the virus.

Thirty-one percent (31%) of American Adults believe the federal government is doing a good or excellent job protecting Americans from the danger of Ebola, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 35% now say the federal government is doing a poor job in this area. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 18-19, 2014 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.

Voters Stand Up for Religious Leaders Defending Their Faith

Houston’s lesbian Mayor Annise Parker recently subpoenaed sermons, speeches and private communications by pastors in the city opposed to a proposed gay rights ordinance. This has prompted an angry response from advocates of religious freedom nationwide, and voters strongly agree that religious leaders standing up for the beliefs of their faith should not be subject to prosecution.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of Likely U.S. Voters do not believe the government should be allowed to prosecute religious leaders for comments that criticize government and social policies that violate the basic beliefs of their religion. Just 14% think the government should be able to prosecute religious leaders on these grounds. (To see question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 17-18, 2014 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. 

Americans Aren’t Panicking Over Ebola

Americans are keeping their cool about Ebola, but some acknowledge that they have changed travel plans because of the outbreak of the deadly virus in the United States.

Two-out-of-three American Adults (66%) continue to agree that Ebola is a serious public health problem for Americans now, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-one percent (31%) say the virus that has killed thousands of West Africans is not a serious worry for Americans. This includes 29% who say it is a Very Serious problem and just six percent (6%) who say it is Not At All Serious. (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 telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on October 18-19, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Endorse Euthanasia – and A Life Beyond

The decision of a 29-year-old California woman with terminal cancer to end her life has cast the spotlight again on states that allow voluntary assisted suicide. Americans by a near two-to-one margin support the practice known as voluntary euthanasia, but most also believe there is life after death.

Three U.S. states now allow voluntary euthanasia or medically assisted suicide for those who are terminally ill, and 50% of American Adults favor this practice. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% are opposed, but nearly as many (23%) 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 American Adults was conducted on October 10-11, 2014 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.

Americans Say Life is Good

While Ebola, enterovirus and ISIS dominate the headlines, most Americans rate their lives positively.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults now consider their own life good or excellent. This is unchanged from 2012  but up from 61% in October 2010.  Just eight percent (8%) say their life is poor. This is also unchanged from 2012 but down slightly from 11% two years earlier.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 6-7, 2014 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.

Americans Say Obama No Longer Deserves His Nobel Prize

As the winners of this year's Nobel Prizes continue to be announced this week, Americans remain skeptical about the politics behind the process and question President Obama’s Peace Prize win in 2009.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults think politics play a role in the awarding of Nobel Prizes. Just 17% disagree, but 30% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 6-7, 2014 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.

70% Oppose Police Seizure of Property Without A Criminal Conviction

Americans strongly believe someone needs to be convicted of a crime before their property can be seized, even though that’s contrary to current federal law and police practice.

After all, 84% of American Adults agree with the basic principle of criminal justice in this country that even someone charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% think someone is guilty until proven innocent. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 2-3, 2014 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. 

87% Exercise At Least Once a Week

Most Americans exercise at least once a week and believe it’s important for a healthy life.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that an overwhelming 86% of American Adults consider exercise at least somewhat important to their daily lives, with 39% who view it as Very Important. Most adults have consistently said exercise is important in their daily life in surveys since 2006. Only 13% consider exercise not very or Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 30-October 1, 2014 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.

More Americans Than Ever Plan to Get a Flu Shot This Year

Flu season is back, and more Americans than ever plan to do something about it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults say they intend to get a flu shot this year. That's up six points from last year and the highest finding since we first started asking this question in 2006. Thirty-five percent (35%) don’t plan on getting a shot this year, down from 44% a year ago. Seven percent (7%) are not 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 4-5, 2014 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.

Voters to Government: Keep Your Hands Off My Property

Americans strongly oppose the practice of eminent domain that allows government to seize private property for public use. Perhaps in large part that’s because they don’t trust government in general.

Just 15% of Americans Adults favor eminent domain, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-six percent (66%) oppose the law that allows government to seize an individual’s land for public use including the construction of public buildings and even commercial development. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 2-3, 2014 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.

Americans Favor Temporary Flight Ban From Ebola-Affected Areas in Africa

Following news of the first Ebola case diagnosed in Dallas, Texas, American adults are more concerned about the virus and most favor a temporary ban on flights from African countries afflicted with the virus. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Americans (58%) believe the United States should impose a temporary ban on all airline flights from countries in Africa where there are confirmed cases of Ebola. Twenty-four percent (24%) don’t think there should be such a ban, while 17% more 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 October 4-5, 2014 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 Think Americans Should Be Proud of U.S. History

Most adults think their fellow Americans should be proud of the nation’s history, but most doubt that they actually know much about it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of American Adults say Americans should be proud of the history of the United States. They’ve been saying the same for over six years. Just 12% think they should be ashamed of it, while 16% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on September 26-27, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

Americans Are Concerned But Confident Health System Can Beat Enterovirus

At least four deaths in this country have now been attributed to a new strain of the severe respiratory disease known as enterovirus, and more than one-out-of-four Americans now say there are cases of it in their own state. But most are at least somewhat confident that the U.S. public health system can control the disease.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned personally about the threat of this new enterovirus, with 21% who are Very Concerned. Thirty-six percent (36%) don’t share that concern, but that includes only six percent (6%) who are Not At All Concerned. (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 September 30-October 1, 2014 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.

Fewer Americans Know Someone Who Joined Military to Secure a Job

Most Americans still consider military service good for young people but know fewer people who have joined the military out of frustration with the job market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of U.S. Adults now say they know someone who has joined the military because of the bad job market. That’s down from 43% a year ago and 39% in January 2012. (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 September 26-27, 2014 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.

Will “Yes Means Yes” Mean Fewer Sexual Assaults on College Campuses?

President Obama has pledged to combat the rising number of sexual assaults at colleges and universities, and California this week became the first state to pass a “yes means yes” bill which requires affirmative consent before sexual activity on state-funded campuses. But Americans aren’t sure new codes of sexual conduct will reduce the assault problem and question whether it's something the federal government should be involved in.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults consider sexual violence at colleges and universities at least a somewhat serious problem, with 32% who think its Very Serious. Fourteen percent (14%) don’t consider sexual violence on college campuses a serious problem, but that includes just two percent (2%) who say it’s Not At All Serious. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 24-25, 2014 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.

Americans Have Their Doubts About College Campus Safety

Americans continue to question whether colleges and universities do enough to protect their students, particularly when it comes to underage drinking.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 40% of American Adults believe colleges and universities do enough to provide for the safety of their students. Just as many (39%) say they do not do enough, with 21% more who 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 onFacebook.  

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 24-25, 2014 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.

Sitcoms, Dramas, News Top the List for TV Watchers

America is overwhelmingly a nation of television watchers, and regularly scheduled comedy and drama shows and the news are at the top of their viewing list.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults say they rarely or never watch television. Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans watch TV every day or nearly every day, although that's down from a high of 63% in 2010. Twenty-five percent (25%) watch television one or more times each week. Ten percent (10%) watch only occasionally. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 2014 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.

Americans Say Buying House is Best Investment

Americans continue to say buying a home is a family’s best investment, but they are closely divided over whether now is the opportune time for someone in their area to sell their house.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys finds that 53% of American Adults say that buying a home is a family's best investment. But only 37% say that now is a good time for someone in their area to sell their house, up slightly from the previous two months and consistent with findings for the past year.(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 American Adults was conducted on September 14-15, 2014 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.

Americans Prefer a Homemade Cheeseburger

With September 18 marking National Cheeseburger Day, Americans say they enjoy a burger that’s both homemade and with cheese on top. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults prefer cheese on their burgers. One-in-four (24%) do not put cheese on their hamburger, while two percent (2%) are not 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 American Adults was conducted on September 16-17, 2014 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 Give U.S. Hospitals Positive Marks

Despite giving mixed reviews for the U.S. health care system in general, Americans have a generally positive view of hospitals in this country and the level of care they provide.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults rate the level of care in U.S. hospitals today as good or excellent. Just five percent (5%) rate it poorly. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 12-13, 2014 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.