Lifestyle

For Most Americans, Labor Day Means Summer's Over

Labor Day was originally established as a federal holiday in 1894 to honor working Americans, especially those in labor unions. But for most Americans, it celebrates the end of summer instead.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 17% of American Adults consider Labor Day one of the nation’s most important holidays, while 20% think it’s one of the least important. Fifty-eight percent (58%) see it as somewhere in between. (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 and Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 25-26, 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. 

42% of Americans Took A Summer Vacation This Year

More Americans said they would take a vacation this summer, and it looks like they did.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of American Adults have taken a summer vacation this year. This finding is up six points from last year and is the highest finding at summer's end in 'five years. (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 August 25-26, 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.

Do Americans Think Their Water Supply Is Safe?

Americans overwhelmingly count on their local water supply, but they're not nearly as confident that it's well protected.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 90% of American Adults think the water supply where they live is at least somewhat dependable, including 64% who say it is Very Dependable. Only seven percent (7%) think their local water supply is not very or Not At All Dependable. (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 August 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 Looking Forward To Taking a Sales Tax Holiday

Most Americans like the idea of sales tax holidays and say they are more likely to buy things during such periods.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults favor so-called sales tax holidays, periods at this time of year when a number of states suspend sales taxes to encourage back-to-school shopping. This level of support is in line with findings the past two years but down from 2010's high of 62%. Nineteen percent (19%) are opposed, while 22% 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 August 21-22, 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.

Should School Start Before or After Labor Day?

Many students around the country are already returning to school, but Americans still prefer waiting until after Labor Day before sending them back.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults think the school year should begin after Labor Day, but 38% think it should begin before that in August. Eleven percent (11%) 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 August 21-22, 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 Think Ice Bucket Challenge Has Raised Awareness, Funds for ALS

Over the past several weeks, countless people across the globe have taken the “ice bucket challenge” to raise awareness and funds for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. But is it working? Americans think so.

The challenge consists of either donating $100 to ALS research or dumping a bucket of ice water on your head, though those who choose the water are encouraged to donate as well. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults have or know someone who has taken the ALS ice bucket challenge. Forty-five percent (45%) do not. (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 August 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.

How Would the Media React If the Cop Was Black and the Victim Was White?

Most Americans think the media would be less interested in the incident in Ferguson, Missouri if a white teenager had been shot by a black police officer. They also reject the idea that most policemen are racist. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 35% of American Adults rate the media’s coverage of the police shooting and subsequent events in Ferguson as good or excellent. Twenty-three percent (23%) say the media have done a poor job covering the story. (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 August 15-16, 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.

47% Say A Family Member Has Been Diagnosed with Depression

The shocking suicide of comedian-actor Robin Williams has highlighted the dangers of clinical depression, and Americans strongly agree more needs to be done to identify and treat it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 87% of American Adults think clinical depression is a serious problem in America today, with 52% who view it as a Very Serious one. Just six percent (6%) regard it as not very or Not At All Serious following Williams' death.(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 nationwide was conducted August 13-14, 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.

A Tale of Two Cities? Blacks, Whites Sharply Disagree About Ferguson

The shooting incident in a St. Louis suburb is still under investigation, and just over half of Americans are not sure yet whether the police officer involved is guilty of murdering a black teenager. But most blacks have already made up their minds that the policeman should be found guilty. Blacks are also more convinced that the violent protests since the shooting occurred are mostly legitimate outrage rather than criminal activity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 23% of all American Adults believe the police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri should be found guilty of murder. Twenty-six percent (26%) think he was acting in self-defense. Fifty-one percent (51%) 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 telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on August 15-16, 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 Say Their Favorite Robin Williams Movie Is…

No wonder Hollywood was planning a sequel to “Mrs. Doubtfire.” An overwhelming number of Americans say they have seen a film starring the late Robin Williams, and that film is their favorite.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of American Adults share a favorable opinion of the actor and comedian who committed suicide earlier this week. This includes 52% with a Very Favorable view. Just eight percent (8%) have a somewhat or Very Unfavorable opinion of Williams. (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 nationwide was conducted August 13-14, 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.

Who Still Needs A Newspaper Subscription?

America used to be a nation of newspaper readers, but a sizable number of newspaper subscribers say they have dropped their subscriptions in the past five years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults still prefer reading the printed version of the news to reading it online, but that's down from 69% five years ago.  One-in-three Americans (33%) prefer reading the online version of the news, up from 24% in May 2009. Eleven percent (11%) 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 nationwide was conducted August 11-12, 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 Need a Vacation

Most Americans agree that employers should be required by law to provide all full-time employees with paid vacation days each year, but they also think American workers are taking less time off than workers elsewhere in the world.

(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 August 11-12, 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.

Should More Americans Be Bilingual?

A sizable number of Americans know a second language and think it’s an important skill to have in today’s world, but they still don’t think it’s as important as encouraging immigrants in this country to speak English.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat important to know how to speak a second language in order to get ahead in the modern world, including 30% who think it is Very Important. Just 23% don’t consider a second language important, with five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Important. (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 August 9-10, 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 Overwhelmingly Put English First

Thirty-one states have made English their official language, and five more are hoping to join the club this year. The U.S. government has yet to take that step, even though Americans still strongly believe English should be the nation's officially recognized language. Most also agree overwhelmingly that it’s important to know the language to get ahead in today's world.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of American Adults believe English should be the official language of the United States. Only 10% disagree.  (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 August 9-10, 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 Reject A Spoonful of Taxes on Their Sugar

Government officials who want to change habits they consider bad for the public often try to use the tax code as a way to discourage consumption, and now a proposal has been made to tax sugar to make us use less of it. Like most so-called "sin taxes," this one doesn't go down well with Americans.

Just 20% of American Adults favor a tax on sugar to discourage sugar use and help fund programs to fight obesity and diabetes. A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 72% oppose such a tax. (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 August 5-6, 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.

Jury's Out on Whether Megan's Law Is Protecting Children

Twenty years after going into effect, most Americans are not sure if Megan’s Law has actually done anything to reduce the number of children attacked by sex offenders, although they remain strongly supportive of a public registry for these criminals.

Megan’s Law, named for a young girl who was raped and murdered in New Jersey in 1994, requires anyone convicted of a child sex crime to register and have that information publicly available in their neighborhoods. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults favor such a registry, consistent with findings since late 2011 following the major child sex abuse scandal at Penn State University. Only seven percent (7%) oppose such a registry. (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 nationwide was conducted on August 7-8, 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.

Are Women Smarter Than Men?

Talk about playing it safe. We asked Americans if women are smarter than men, and they're evenly divided.

Thirty-one percent (31%) of American Adults say yes, women are smarter, but just as many (31%) say no they're not. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that slightly more (38%) insist they aren't 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 Adults was conducted on August 7-8, 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.

America Is Losing the War on Drugs

An overwhelming majority of adults still believe the United States is losing the war on drugs, but they are more divided over whether money is the answer.

Just three percent (3%) of American Adults believe the United States is winning the war on drugs, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Eighty-four percent (84%) disagree. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 3-4, 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.

Reefer Gladness?

In the seven months since Colorado began the public sale of recreational marijuana, a similar law took effect in the state of Washington, and voters in Washington, DC will weigh in on a comparable initiative this November. While attitudes about marijuana in general have changed very little, there appears to be less opposition to legalization on the state level, and support for medicinal pot remains strong.

Forty-three percent (43%) of Americans nationwide favor the legalization of recreational marijuana use in their home state, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just as many (43%) are opposed, while 15% 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 August 3-4, 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.

Is There A Driverless Car in Your Future?

Google has developed a completely driver-free car, and a few Iowa counties will be the first in the United States to allow them on their roads, although it isn't clear how soon. But will they catch on?

Nearly one-in-four American Adults (23%) say they are at least somewhat likely to buy a driverless car when they become available to the public at a reasonable price, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes just nine percent (9%) who are Very Likely to do so. Most adults (69%) are not likely to be in the market for a driverless car, with 35% who are Not At All Likely to be. (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 August 1-2, 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.