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                            April 10, 201334% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Thirty-four percent (34%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, April 7.
Voter optimism in the nation’s current course is down a point from the previous week. However, it appears to have recovered from a downturn prompted by the political impasse in Washington, D.C. over the so-called sequester budget cuts. Belief that the country was heading in the right direction fell to 28% in late February-early March as political leaders were desperately looking for ways to avoid even modest reductions in the growth of federal spending. Now that the threat to undo the sequester has passed, confidence in the country's direction has returned to earlier levels.
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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen April 1-7, 2013. 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.

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                            April 10, 201329% Say U.S. Does Not Spend Enough on National Security
While most voters know the United States spends more on national security than any other nation, just one-in-three (33%) think the amount spent is too much.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly as many Likely U.S. Voters (29%) believe the United States does not spend enough on its military and national security. Thirty-two percent (32%) think the level of spending is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 7-8, 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.

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                            April 10, 201340% 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.
Play the Rasmussen Challenge. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET.
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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.
April 10, 2013Government Plays Favorites By John Stossel
People say government must "help the little guy, promote equality, level the playing field." 

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                            April 10, 201368% View Margaret Thatcher Favorably
Americans have a strongly favorable view of Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister who died on Monday.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Thatcher, including 36% who have a Very Favorable one. Just 15% view her somewhat or Very Unfavorably. But 17% are not sure what they think of the woman who served as Britain’s political leader from 1979 to 1990. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
Play the Rasmussen Challenge  . Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET.
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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 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.

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                            April 10, 201314% Are Fiscal Liberals, 34% Liberal on Social Issues
Voters remain more conservative on money issues than on social policy.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters identify themselves as conservative on fiscal issues such as taxes, government spending and business regulation. Just 14% are liberal in this area, while 39% view themselves as moderates. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 3-4, 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.

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                            April 9, 201357% Think U.S. Should Continue Building a Fence Along Mexican Border
Most voters favor the use of U.S. military on the Mexican border to keep drug violence out, but they also still think the U.S. should continue building a fence along the border.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should continue building a border fence, while 29% disagree. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure if the government should keep building a fence along the Mexican border. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 3-4, 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.

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                            April 9, 2013Most Want Businesses to Offer More Jobs to Those Without Degrees
The New York Times in December ran a story expressing concern over a new trend in Montana. The state’s energy boom was forcing companies to offer $50,000 a year jobs to high school graduates (and $50,000 goes further in Montana than in New York City).  The Times article highlighted concerns that such well-paying jobs might lure students into the workforce rather than college.
However, 51% of American Adults believe it would be better for our country if more businesses offered jobs to high school graduates rather than requiring a college degree. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Still, 54% think just about any good student who wants to attend college can find a way to do so. Just 32% disagree. Younger adults are even more convinced that good students can find a way to finance a college education.
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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 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.
April 9, 2013The Moderation of Margaret Thatcher By Froma Harrop
In honoring Margaret Thatcher, some of her greatest fans complain, "They don't make conservatives like that any more."   
April 9, 201337% Give Obama Positive Marks on Taxes
With more voters than ever thinking taxes will go up under President Obama, the president is earning slightly more negative reviews for his handling of the taxes issue.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters now rate the way the president is handling issues related to taxes as good or excellent. That's down seven points from 44% in late January. Forty-three percent (43%) think he is doing a poor job in this area, comparable to last month's findings but up four points from 39% in January.  (To see survey question wording,click here.)
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 5-6, 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.

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                            April 9, 201313% Expect Reduced Spending Under New Obama Budget
Most voters don’t expect government spending to be reduced under President Obama’s new budget proposal. But even if Congress and the president come to a budget deal, voters think it’s unlikely the deficit will actually be reduced.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 13% of Likely U.S. Voters think government spending will be reduced under the president’s budget plan. Fifty percent (50%) think spending will keep going up, while 24% expect it to remain about the same. Another 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.
(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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 7-8, 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.

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                            April 9, 20138% Think Congress Is Doing A Good or Excellent Job
Positive ratings for Congress’ job performance remain in single digits again this month. Most voters also continue to think it’s likely their own congressional representative has sold his or her vote. 
For the second month in a row, only eight percent (8%) of Likely U.S. Voters give Congress good or excellent marks for the job it’s doing.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% think Congress is doing a poor job. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 3-4, 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.
April 8, 2013Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 38%
Democrats hold a three-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending April 7.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican instead.
(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 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from April 1-7, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage point with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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                            April 8, 201354% Think It's Not Possible to Work Hard and Get Rich in America
Most Americans (54%) believe it's no longer possible for anyone to work hard and get rich in this country, and just half (49%) think it’s possible for anyone to work his or her way out of poverty. They also remain deeply pessimistic about the future for the nation's children.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% of adults think it’s possible for anyone in America to work hard and get rich. That ties the lowest finding in more than three years of regular tracking. Another 20% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Play the Rasmussen Challenge! A new contest starts tomorrow.
The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 31-April 1, 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.

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                            April 8, 201345% Oppose Tax Deductions for Some College Donors
Most Americans don't think it's fair for colleges to give special treatment to children of large donors, and a sizable number believe that donations to those schools should no longer be tax deductible. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that a plurality (45%) of American Adults think donations to colleges and universities should not be tax deductible if those schools give special applications preference to the children of large donors. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree and believe those donations should remain tax deductible.  Eighteen percent (18%) more 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 Adults was conducted on April 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.

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                            April 8, 201369% Favor Use of U.S. Military on Border to Keep Mexican Drug Violence Out
Voters remain more concerned about Mexican drug violence coming to this country than they are about illegal immigration, and most favor use of the U.S. military on the border to prevent it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 34% of Likely U.S. Voters are more concerned about illegal immigration. Fifty-seven percent (57%) worry more about drug violence. (To see survey question wording, click here.) Those figures are little changed from four years ago.
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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 3-4, 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.
April 8, 2013Mexico Becomes a Stable, Politically Diverse Neighbor By Michael Barone
We Americans are lucky, though we seldom reflect on it, that we have good neighbors.
In East Asia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines face challenges from China over islands they have long claimed in the East China Sea.
In Europe, Germany and other prosperous nations face demands for subsidies from debt-ridden nations to avoid the collapse of the Euro.
When Southern Europeans look across the Mediterranean, they see Muslim nations facing post-Arab spring upheaval and disorder.

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                            April 8, 201361% View North Korean Nuclear Attack on U.S. As Unlikely
Despite North Korea’s increasing threats, Americans now view a nuclear attack by the communist regime as even less likely than they did a month ago. They’re also more willing to help South Korea if it is attacked by its neighbor to the north.

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                            April 7, 201311% See Those Who Want To Secure Border As Racist
Eleven percent (11%) of Likely U.S. Voters think people who want to secure the border and prevent illegal immigration are racist, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. 
But two-out-of-three voters (67%) disagree with that assessment and say those who want more border control are not racist. Twenty-two percent (22%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 1-2, 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.

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                            April 7, 201355% Think Most Rich People Earned Their Money Through Hard Work
Most Americans still believe most rich people earned their money the hard way – by working for it.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters think, generally speaking, that most people get rich by working hard. Twenty-three percent (23%) believe most get their wealth by inheriting it, while 10% think they were lucky. Twelve percent (12%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on April 1-2, 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.