Sixty-two percent (62%) of American voters believe that raising taxes next year will hurt the economy. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 17% believe that tax hikes will help the economy. Another 14% say raising taxes will have no impact.
Company outsourcing of jobs to smaller firms and the self-employed has created a created a large pool of entrepreneurs who derive revenue from large companies.
Data collected as part of the Hudson Employment Index shows that more than 9 million workers now work in this segment of the economy. Many of these workers would probably have been employed directly by large companies at an earlier point in time.
Forty-one percent (41%) of American voters trust John Kerry more than George W. Bush when it comes to controlling government spending. A nearly identical number, 40% trust Bush more.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of American voters believe that, in political terms, George W. Bush is conservative. Another 28% see the President as moderate.
Americans are more likely today than they were two weeks ago to believe that the Iraqi prison abuse was fairly widespread. However, that has not dented their belief that the Iraqi people are better off today than they were under Saddam Hussein.
In the Illinois campaign for the U.S. Senate, Democrat Barack Obama leads Republican Jack Ryan 48% to 40%.
In Illinois, the latest Rasmussen Reports poll finds Senator John F. Kerry with 48% of the vote to 43% for President George W. Bush.
Last Sunday, pollster John Zogby created quite a stir by announcing his view that the election is now Kerry's to lose. John is a good pollster and makes many good points, but I respectfully disagree with him on this one.
Half of America's voters expect the situation in Iraq to get worse during the coming months. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 30% expect things to get better.
Just 41% of American voters now say that Iraq is likely to "become a peaceful nation enjoying freedom and democracy." A Rasmussen Reports survey found that most voters (54%) say such a positive outcome is not very likely or not at all likely.
Nine-out-of-ten Americans have read, seen, or heard news stories about the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. Half of all voters (48%) believe that such abuses represent an isolated event. However, 29% believe such practices are fairly widespread.
The Hudson Employment Index inched up to its highest level of the year this month at 107.1. Last month, the Index was at 106.8. Thirty-three percent (33%) of workers say that their employers will hire more employees in the coming months.
President George W. Bush and Senator John F. Kerry are tied in Arkansas. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey in that state found both men earning 45% of the vote.
Senator John F. Kerry holds an eight-point lead over President George W. Bush in Wisconsin. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey in that state found Kerry earning 50% of the vote to Bush's 42%.
Just 38% of American voters have a favorable opinion of the United Nations these days. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found that 44% have an unfavorable view.
More than six-out-of-ten American voters believe the USA is a good role model for the rest of the world.
A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 64% of voters believe that American society is generally fair and decent.
Just 38% of American voters have a favorable opinion of the United Nations these days. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found that 44% have an unfavorable view.
Four years ago, Al Gore defeated George W. Bush in Oregon by about 7,000 votes out of more than 1.5 million. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey in Oregon finds that things are just as close today.
In the state of California, a Rasmussen Reports survey finds that Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry leads President George W. Bush by eleven points, 51% to 40%. That spread matches the 11 point margin of victory earned by Al Gore four years ago.
Many people have written recently with various forms of the same message: "National polls don't matter in the Presidential Race. As we learned four years ago, the only thing that counts is the Electoral College."
