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                            December 13, 201234% Prefer a Government With More Services, Higher Taxes
One-in-three Likely U.S. Voters (34%) now prefer a larger government with more services and higher taxes to one with fewer services and lower taxes. That's up 10 points from a month ago and the highest level of support for bigger government in over six years of regular surveying.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of voters still favor smaller government, but that's down from 64% in November. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! You have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday to get your response in. 
(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 December 6-7, 2012 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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                            December 12, 201238% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction
Confidence in the nation’s direction has fallen back to pre-Election Day levels.
Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending Sunday, December 9.
That's down from 41% the previous three weeks. Since Election Day, confidence in the nation’s course has been tracking in the low 40s, the highest level of optimism during the Obama years. The latest finding is more in line with attitudes in September and October but is still slightly higher than was found earlier in 2012. This week’s finding is up 14 points from the beginning of the year and up 19 points from a year ago.
(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 December 3-9, 2012. 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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                            December 12, 201268% Expect To Pay More for Groceries A Year From Now
Most Americans remain worried about inflation and expect to be paying even more for groceries that they are paying now. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about inflation, with 43% who are Very Concerned. Nineteen percent (19%) are not as concerned, but that includes only five percent (5%) who are Not At All Concerned.  (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 December 9-10, 2012 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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                            December 12, 201273% Think Health Care Law Likely to Cost More Than Projected
Voters are narrowly divided in their views of President Obama’s national health care law, but a sizable majority thinks the law is likely to cost taxpayers more than has been officially estimated.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable impression of the health care law, while 49% view it unfavorably. This includes 16% with a Very Favorable opinion and 35% with a Very Unfavorable one. (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 December 10-11, 2012 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.
December 12, 2012Government Gone Bad By John Stossel
Politicians claim they make our lives better by passing laws. But laws rarely improve life. They go wrong. Unintended consequences are inevitable.
Most voters don't pay enough attention to notice. They read headlines. They watch the Rose Garden signing ceremonies and hear the pundits declare that progress was made. Bipartisanship! Something got done. We assume a problem was solved.

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                            December 12, 201246% See Federal Gov't As Threat to Rights, 45% As Protector
Voters take their constitutional rights very seriously and are evenly divided over whether the federal government protects or threatens those liberties.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters now regard the federal government today as a protector of individual rights. But 46% consider the government a threat to those rights. (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 December 8-9, 2012 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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                            December 11, 201256% Say American Society is Generally Fair and Decent
Most voters continue to feel America is a fair and decent country and that those who move here need to adopt the prevailing culture. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think American society is generally fair and decent. Thirty percent (30%) disagree and view it as unfair and discriminatory. 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 Likely Voters was conducted on December 6-7, 2012 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.
December 11, 2012Debt-ceiling Nonsense Once Again By Froma Harrop
Nothing like a debt-ceiling brawl to raise the public's anxiety levels. The Republican threat two summers ago to let America default on its borrowing helped lower America's credit rating and sent consumer confidence back into intensive care. The people were not amused.

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                            December 11, 201249% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry
Fewer than half of Americans remain confident in the stability of the nation's banks.  
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that includes only nine percent (9%) are Very Confident.  Nearly as many (47%) lack confidence in the banks, with 12% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge! You have until 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday to get your response in.
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 9-10, 2012 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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                            December 11, 2012Freedoms of Speech, Religion Top Freedoms of Press, Right to Bear Arms
Ask voters about some of their basic freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, and they rate freedom of speech as most important and the right to bear arms as the least. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of Likely U.S. Voters consider freedom of speech Very Important. Another 14% consider it somewhat important while just one percent (1%) think it’s not very 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 8-9, 2012 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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                            December 11, 201252% Think Auto Bailouts Were A Good Idea
Most voters continue to view the auto bailouts as a good move but now are evenly divided over them when told the government lost billions bailing out General Motors and Chrysler.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone report finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters think the bailouts of the auto industry were good for the United States. Thirty-six percent (36%) consider the bailouts bad for the country. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge! This week's entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET on Wednesday.
(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 December 8-9, 2012 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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                            December 10, 2012Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 46%, Republicans 36%
Democrats hold a 10-point lead over Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending December 9, 2012.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 36% 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 December 3-9, 2012. 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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                            December 10, 201237% Thinks U.S. Spends Too Much on Defense
With cuts in defense spending on the "fiscal cliff" negotiating table, 37% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States spends too much on the military and national security. That's up from 29% in early November, and the highest negative assessment of defense spending in over a year of regular tracking. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 23% of likely voters believe the country doesn't spend enough on the military and national security, while 33% feel the level of spending is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Win an IPad: Take the Rasmussen Challenge.
This national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 8-9, 2012 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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                            December 10, 201245% Think U.S. Should Help Rebels if Syrian Government Resorts to Chemical Weapons
Voters now think Syria is slightly more likely to use chemical weapons against anti-government rebels, and a plurality continues to believe the United States should help the rebels if those weapons are used. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the Syrian government is likely to use chemical weapons against its opponents, with 18% who say it’s Very Likely. Just 23% think the government is unlikely to resort to these weapons to put down the growing protests, but that includes only five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twenty percent (20%) 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 December 6-7, 2012 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.
December 10, 2012Mexican Migration May Be Over By Michael Barone
Is mass migration from Mexico to the United States a thing of the past? At least for the moment, it is. Last May, the Pew Hispanic Center, in a study based on U.S. and Mexican statistics, reported that net migration from Mexico to this country had fallen to zero from 2005 to 2010.

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                            December 10, 201234% Favor Federal Control of Online Gambling
The Senate is quietly discussing legislation to put the federal government in charge of online gambling, freezing out state lotteries that want to move in that direction, but Americans aren’t too enthusiastic about the idea.
Just 34% of American Adults favor federal government regulation of online gambling, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty percent (40%) are opposed to federal control in this area, but a sizable 26% 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 Adults was conducted on December 7-8, 2012 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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                            December 9, 2012Most Still Think Government Workers Better Off
As they have for years, Americans still generally believe that those employed by the government don’t work as hard as those in the private sector but get more in return. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of American Adults believe that private sector workers generally work harder than government employees. Only five percent (5%) believe public sector employees are the harder workers, but 28% 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 December 1-2, 2012 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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                            December 9, 201276% Think Christmas Should Be About Jesus, Not Santa
Should Christmas be more about Jesus Christ or Santa Claus? It may seem hard to tell looking at the popular culture, but Americans overwhelmingly think the emphasis should be on Jesus.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults believe Christmas should be more about Jesus. Only 14% think it should be more about Santa, but another 10% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
(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 November 29-30, 2012 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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                            December 8, 2012What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending December 8, 2012
The GOP is losing the messaging war in the ongoing debate over how to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.” Voters are more confident that the president is willing to agree to a deal with both spending cuts and tax increases than Republicans are.
Just 40% think Obama will insist on tax increases only, while 51% feel the GOP will insist on spending cuts only. Most unaffiliated voters are skeptical that either side is really willing to accept a deal.

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                            December 8, 201249% Support Dropping the Penny
Americans are willing to give up the dollar bill if it would save the government money, and many wouldn’t miss the penny either. 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults favor a proposal for the United States to stop making pennies.  Thirty-one percent (31%) oppose dropping the one-cent coin, while 20% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)
How did you do in this week’s Rasmussen Challenge? Check the leaderboard.
The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 5-6, 2012 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.