Most Americans these days would agree with Thomas Paine’s famous declaration in 1776: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” We lack confidence in the economy, government, elections, the president, Congress, both political parties, even our military missions abroad, with little hope in sight.
When it comes to job creation and improving the overall economy, voters think tax cuts will work better than government solutions.
Chicago, IL/ Washington DC– August 11, 2011 – The Rasmussen Report, the hour-long radio talk show hosted by public opinion pollster and analyst Scott Rasmussen, is set to air again this Sunday – and every Sunday this month – on the top news talk radio stations in Chicago and Washington DC. WMAL/630AM in Washington and WLS/890AM in Chicago will simulcast the show at 3pm ET/2pm CT for the next four weeks.
Confidence in the course of the War on Terror which surged following the killing of Osama bin Laden continues to fall.
Nearly one-out-of-two Americans (48%) think that cuts in government spending are at least somewhat likely to lead to violence in the United States, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes just 13% who feel it’s Very Likely.
Majorities in liberal states often back policies that most folks in conservative states abhor -- and vice versa. The difficulty of reaching accord among warring but heartfelt views partly explains Washington's paralysis.
With world markets suddenly sagging under the weight of the Standard & Poor's Aug. 5 downgrade of Treasury bonds, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., is disturbed by the monopolistic power of the ratings agencies -- and still determined to curb their abuses, as he tried to do last year with an amendment to the Dodd-Frank banking reform bill.
There has been much talk lately about declining enthusiasm for President Obama among the political left.
There are currently 17 states that offer a “sales tax holiday” – a brief suspension of sales taxes – to encourage back-to-school shopping. Most Americans nationwide support this idea.
Confidence among Americans in the stability of the nation’s banking industry has hit rock bottom.
Things look different in the Midwest. Back in Washington, people are talking about President Barack Obama's poor showing this past week. (Did you see that Maureen Dowd has turned against him?) In Iowa, they're focused on the state Republicans' presidential straw poll in Ames next Saturday. And in Wisconsin, they just got through counting the votes in a recall election that has great national significance.
Support for bringing home U.S. troops from Afghanistan is on the rise as few American voters think we have a clearly defined mission anymore in that troubled country.
Tonight marks the third televised debate of the 2012 campaign for the Republican contenders, and by far the most important one yet. It's not that the audience in Iowa or on TV will be enormous in the midst of August vacations and summer doldrums.
The number of Americans who believe the federal government should assume financial responsibility for the long-term unemployed has increased throughout 2011. Most, however, still reject that approach.
Just 16% 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, August 7.
While voters aren’t convinced government spending will actually be cut, the number that thinks government spending will increase under President Obama is at the lowest level since he took office.
The number of voters who consider the Republican agenda in Congress as extreme has risen to its highest level yet, while a plurality continues to view the Democrats' that way.
More voters still think the average Tea Party member has a better handle on America’s problems than the average member of Congress does, but there’s a sharp difference of opinion between Democrats and Republicans.
Except according to the Lord's plans -- which are not known to man -- the "end of the world" is not nigh, although to listen to politicians and pundits, we should be packed and ready to go by next Thursday.
Damn the torpedoes! Up periscope! Full speed ahead! Ben Bernanke and the Fed to the rescue!
