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                            July 5, 20137% Think Congress Doing Good or Excellent Job
When Congress returns from its Fourth of July recess, the legislators will face the same abysmal ratings from the electorate.
Just seven percent (7%) of Likely U.S. Voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-five percent (65%) say 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 June 30 – July 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.
July 5, 2013Moral Hazard and Nature By Froma Harrop
We call events caused by extreme weather "natural disasters" when they hit human-built environments. Had there been no shoreline civilization in Superstorm Sandy's East Coast path, we would not have called the happening a "natural disaster," but "nature." The whole thing would have been little more than an exceptionally rainy day.

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                            July 5, 201352% Think It’s Good NSA Domestic Spying Was Exposed, 23% Disagree
Most voters think it’s good that Edward Snowden revealed the National Security Agency’s secret domestic surveillance program, but they’re still not sure if he’s a hero or a villain.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is good for the nation that the American people know more about the NSA surveillance program. Just 23% feel it’s bad for the country, but 25% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 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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                            July 5, 2013Americans Still Embrace the Spirit of '76 By Scott Rasmussen
Our nation's 237th birthday is being celebrated in many ways that have become familiar over the years. Fifteen percent of Americans will watch a parade; 29 percent will sing patriotic songs; 63 percent will enjoy a cookout with family and friends; 78 percent are likely to see fireworks.
July 5, 2013With Its Roots in the Nuclear Family, the Nation Evolves Into America 3.0 By Michael Barone
The Fourth of July is always an occasion to think about what the United States of America has been, is and will be. A good way to reflect on that is to pick up a copy of "America 3.0" by James Bennett and Michael Lotus and ponder its lessons.
July 4, 2013For July 4th: Remembering Why the Right Doesn't Own the Stars and Stripes by Joe Conason
Like many men who volunteered for the U.S. Army in World War II, my late father never boasted about his years in uniform. A patriot to his core, he nevertheless despised what he called the "jelly-bellied flag flappers." But in the decade or so before he passed away, he began to sport a small, eagle-shaped pin on his lapel, known as a "ruptured duck." Displaying the mark of his military service said that this lifelong liberal loved his country as much as any conservative -- and had proved it.

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                            July 4, 201361% Say Independence Day One Of Nation’s Most Important Holidays
Americans continue to see the Fourth of July as one of the nation’s most important holidays.
Sixty-one percent (61%) of adults now regard Independence Day that way, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Only four percent (4%) look at the Fourth of July as one of the least important holidays, while 33% say it’s somewhere in between.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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                            July 4, 201382% Know What Independence Day Celebrates
Most Americans are aware that the Fourth of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but far fewer recognize one of the key tenets of that foundational document.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of American Adults know that the Fourth of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but eight percent (8%) think it commemorates the ratification of the U.S. Constitution instead. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 
That’s an improvement from last year when only 74% recognized what Independence Day celebrates.

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                            July 3, 201330% Say U.S. Heading In Right Direction
For the second week in a row, 30% 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, June 30.
That’s also unchanged from a year ago and is consistent with voter attitudes for more than four months now. Confidence in the country's direction jumped into the low 40s last November and remained in the mid- to high 30s through February.
The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on June 24-30, 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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                            July 3, 2013Americans See George Washington As Greatest Founding Father
George Washington is back on top as the greatest Founding Father.  But Americans are now almost evenly divided on one of the key principles in the Pledge of Allegiance. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of American Adults consider the first president of the United States the greatest Founding Father. Twenty-seven percent (27%) say Thomas Jefferson is the greatest, while 14% say the same of Benjamin Franklin.  Only five percent (5%) think that title belongs to John Adams, and three percent (3%) say James Madison.  Fourteen percent (14%) 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 nationwide was conducted on June 23-24, 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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                            July 3, 2013More Americans View Blacks As Racist Than Whites, Hispanics
Americans consider blacks more likely to be racist than whites and Hispanics in this country.
Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults think most black Americans are racist, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 15% consider most white Americans racist, while 18% say the same of most Hispanic Americans. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 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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                            July 3, 201363% View Too-Powerful Government As Bigger Threat Than Weaker One
More Americans than ever (63%) think a government that is too powerful is a bigger danger in the world today than one that is not powerful enough. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% disagree and think a government that is not powerful enough is a bigger danger. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 June 19-20, 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. 
July 3, 2013The Snowden Paradox By Mark Meckler
Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency whistleblower, is either a hero or a traitor.  We’ve heard him described both ways in no uncertain terms.  So which is it?  I’ve been withholding judgment, I thought, based on needing more facts.  Yet no matter how many facts come out about the case, I remain ambivalent.   In the Snowden situation, I believe we have encountered a paradox.
July 3, 2013I Shrugged By John Stossel
Many libertarians, outraged by how our government spies on us, call me a "traitor" because I'm not very angry. I understand that the National Security Administration tracking patterns in our emails and phone calls could put us on a terrible, privacy-crushing slippery slope.    

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                            July 3, 201366% Know Someone Out of Work and Looking For Employment
The bad news is that two-out-of-three Americans still know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. The good news is that the percentage of these Americans is at its lowest level in several years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults know someone who is out of work and looking for a job. That's down three points from 69% last month. Two years ago, 75% knew someone in this situation.  (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 June 29-30, 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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                            July 2, 2013Just 26% Give U.S. Public Schools Positive Marks
Most voters still don't think very positively about the nation's public schools and continue to believe political correctness trumps accuracy in America's textbooks.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the performance of public schools in America today as good or excellent.  Thirty-four percent (34%) rate public education as poor.  (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 Likely Voters was conducted on June 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.

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                            July 2, 201356% Think Constitution Should Be Left Alone
Most Americans continue to believe the U.S. Constitution should be left as is and remain the nation’s fundamental law. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think the Constitution should be left alone. Thirty-three percent (33%) believe minor changes are needed in the nation's foundational document. Just four percent (4%) feel major changes are necessary. Two percent (2%) think the United States should scrap the Constitution completely and start over. (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 June 19-20, 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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                            July 2, 2013Rasmussen Employment Index Remains Near Recent High
The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence slipped just over a point in June after reaching a near six-year high the previous month.
July 2, 2013Investigate Issa! Or How to Apply the Chairman's Own Methods and Style to Him By Joe Conason
Among the many reasons that Americans hold the House of Representatives in low repute -- at historically abysmal levels, in fact -- is the blatantly partisan and ideological misconduct of so many committee chairs. Without any evident embarrassment these mighty politicians deny science, defy mathematics and dismiss every fact that contradicts their prejudices. But bad as these chairs tend to be, none is quite as flamboyantly awful as Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, a special investigative panel whose latest effort to conjure scandal from nothingness at the Internal Revenue Service would provoke his removal by a responsible leadership.

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                            July 2, 2013For Voters, NSA Case is Less of A Scandal but More of A Problem
Of the four major controversies now swirling around the Obama administration, the National Security Agency’s secret surveillance of the phone and e-mail traffic of millions of Americans is the one voters least consider a serious scandal. But as controversies go, they rate it slightly ahead of the others as a problem for the administration.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters consider both the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative organizations and the White House’s explanation of what happened when the U.S. ambassador was killed in Benghazi, Libya last year as serious scandals. That’s unchanged from six weeks ago.
Twenty-five percent (25%) view the IRS matter as an embarrassing situation but not a scandal, while 19% say it’s not big deal. Similarly, 23% consider the Benghazi affair to be an embarrassing situation but not a scandal. Seventeen percent (17%) see it as no big deal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 30-July 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.