General Lifestyle

57% Think Churches Essential to Healthy Communities

Most Americans believe churches are an essential part of a healthy community.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 34% of American Adults believe it is possible to have a healthy community with absolutely no churches or religious presence. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disagree and say it is not possible to have a healthy community without churches. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 11-12, 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. 

41% Believe Supreme Court Too Hostile Towards Religion, 15% Too Friendly

Throughout history, the relationship between church and state has been a major issue for societies. In the United States, the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but precisely what that means has been subject to ongoing debate.

64% Think Business Owners Should Be Able to Set Dress Codes for Customers

In towns all over the country, business owners, town officials and even judges are setting new dress code rules. A Tennessee judge has set conservative guidelines for female lawyers in the courtroom; banks in a Florida town have banned hats, hoods and sunglasses in an attempt to thwart robberies, and a New Jersey shore town has banned overly saggy pants on its boardwalk. 

Most American Adults (64%) agree that business owners should be allowed to establish dress codes for people who enter their facility, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 23% disagree. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 11-12, 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.

Fewer Vacationers Had to Cut Back on Spending This Year

A good sign for the economy is fewer adults say they've had to cut back on vacation spending this year.

A new Rasmussen reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults are planning a summer vacation this year. Fifty percent (50%) are not, but nine percent (9%) aren’t sure yet. (To see question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 30-31, 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. 

17% Favor Making FBI Wiretapping of Internet Communications Easier

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking legal permission to more easily wiretap Internet communications as telephone use declines, but most Americans aren't on board with this proposal.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 17% of American Adults favor making it easier for the FBI to wiretap Internet communications such as instant messages, Facebook chats and e-mails. Sixty-seven percent (67%) oppose granting easier access to these types of communication. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 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.

65% View Boy Scouts Favorably, Down from 73% Last Year

Favorable opinions of the Boy Scouts of America are down, but most Americans still consider scouting good for young people.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults hold a favorable opinion of the Boy Scouts, down eight points from February 2012. The latest finding includes 28% with a Very Favorable view of the organization, but that compares to 40% early last year.

Twenty-five percent (25%) now view the Boy Scouts unfavorably, up from 17% in the previous survey. Unchanged in both surveys is the seven percent (7%) with a Very Unfavorable opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 26-27, 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% Are Less Likely to Travel By Cruise Ship These Days

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship that caught fire near the Bahamas early Monday morning was just the latest in a string of high-profile problems that have been plaguing cruise ships, and Americans are taking notice.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults say they or a family member has taken a vacation on a cruise ship. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 26-27, 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. 

39% Think Federal Aid to Oklahoma Tornado Victims Should Be Offset With Budget Cuts

Very few Americans think the federal government gives too much financial help to victims of disasters like this week’s Oklahoma tornado, but they’re evenly divided when asked if the government should make cuts elsewhere in the federal budget to offset this aid.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% of American Adults believe the federal government provides too much financial aid to the victims of major disasters, while 35% think the level of aid is not enough. Just as many (36%) feel the government gives about the right amount of financial aid to these victims. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 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.

Most Americans See Family As Most Helpful in Tough Times

When going through a tough time in their life, 53% of Americans expect their family would be Very Helpful. Twenty-four percent (24%) say the same about their local church or religious organization, while 22% think their friends would help that much.

Nothing else come close. Local charities, businesses and all levels of government are seen as Very Helpful by single digit numbers.

Rasmussen Reports asked American adults in a national telephone survey how helpful different groups, organizations and agencies would be to them if they were going through a challenging period in their lives. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on February May 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.

45% Think Finding A Job Will Be Very Difficult for This Year's Graduates

One-out-of-four Americans has a family member graduating from high school or college this spring, and an overwhelming majority of all U.S. adults think those recent graduates will have trouble getting jobs.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 88% of Americans believe it will be at least somewhat difficult for recent graduates to find a job in the current economy, including 45% who say it will be Very Difficult. Just eight percent (8%) don’t think it will difficult for new grads to find employment. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 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.

10% Are Willing To Get Company Tattoo For 15% Raise

A New York real estate firm has offered a 15% raise to any of its 800 employees who tattoo the company’s logo on their bodies, and 10% of all Americans are willing to do it.

Still, most Americans (81%) would not be willing to get a tattoo of their employer’s name or logo in exchange for a 15% pay raise, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Nine percent (9%) aren't sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 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. 

73% Favor Labels for Genetically Modified Food

Most Americans agree the federal government should require labeling for foods with genetically modified ingredients, although they don’t know much about what those are.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults think the federal government should require that any foods containing genetically modified ingredients, or GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), be labeled as such on store shelves. Fifteen percent (15%) disagree, and 12% are not sure. The level of support remains generally unchanged from last May. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 20-21, 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% Rate Race Relations in U.S. as Good or Excellent

More Americans than ever give race relations in the United States positive ratings and feel these relations are improving.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of American Adults rate race relations in America today as good or excellent.  Just 14% view those relations as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 16-17, 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.

53% Say Pro Sports Have Helped Race Relations in U.S.

Most Americans (53%) believe professional sports have helped improve race relations in the United States.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults disagree. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 16-17, 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.

59% View Jackie Robinson Favorably

Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut 66 years ago this week and by doing so shattered the league’s color barrier, but he impacted race relations far beyond the sports culture. Today, most Americans still view the legendary civil rights figure favorably.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of Americans Adults have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Robinson, including 36% who view him Very Favorably. Just four percent (4%) have an unfavorable opinion of the baseball great. However, 36% don't know enough about him to venture an opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

How did you do in the Rasmussen Challenge? Final results are in – check the leaderboard!

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 16-17, 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.

71% Think Pop Culture Encourages Sexual Activity Among the Young

Americans have consistently said that violence in movies and television leads to more violence in society, and they also strongly feel that the pop culture encourages sexual activity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults say movies, TV and other parts of popular culture encourage sexual activity among young people.  Only 18% disagree, while 11% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 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.

57% Oppose Over-the-Counter Sales of Morning-After Pill to Youngsters

A federal judge earlier this month ruled that the morning-after birth control pill should be available over the counter to children 16 and younger without a prescription.  Most Americans think that’s a bad idea and that parents should be involved in a contraceptive decision for children that young.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of American Adults favor making the morning-after pill available to children 16 and under without a prescription. Fifty-seven percent (57%) oppose the availability of the contraceptive for those that young without a prescription. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 12-13, 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.

25% Know Someone Who Has Been Murdered

There is a huge racial divide when it comes to personal experience with crime and the justice system.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of all American Adults know someone who has been murdered. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 13% know someone who is currently in prison.

Seventy percent (70%) do not know a murder victim, and 84% do not know someone currently in jail. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 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.

40% Believe Law Enforcement Can Dramatically Reduce Gang Violence

Americans are fairly evenly divided as to whether law enforcement agencies can dramatically reduce gun violence among inner city gangs. Forty percent (40%) say it is possible; 33% disagree, and 27% are not sure, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

As for the members of these gangs, criminologist David Kennedy says in his book Don’t Shoot that, contrary to popular opinion, they don’t make a lot of money and don’t like the violent life style.

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 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.

48% Feel Connected to A National Political Party

Fewer than half of American Adults feel connected to a national political party. Republicans are more passionate about the connection than Democrats are. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Adults in this country think they are at least somewhat connected to a national political party, but that includes just 17% who feel Very Connected. Fifty-six percent (56%) don't feel that connection, including another 17% who don't feel connected at all. (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 nationwide was conducted on March 15-16, 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.