Lifestyle

60% Favor Government-Recognized National Day of Prayer

Congress established the first National Day of Prayer 62 years ago today, and most Americans continue to support the tradition.

Sixty percent (60%) of American Adults favor the federal government recognizing a National Day of Prayer, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-one percent (21%) oppose federal government recognition of the day, while 19% 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 American Adults was conducted on April 28-29, 2014 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.

31% Say Search for Malaysian Jetliner Should Continue Indefinitely

Nearly two months after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, most Americans still say it’s unlikely the fate of the plane will ever be fully known. Most also don’t think the search for the jetliner should continue indefinitely.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat likely that we will find out exactly what happened to the missing plane, but that includes just seven percent (7%) who say it’s Very Likely. Fifty-nine percent (59%) think it’s unlikely we will ever know the whole story behind the plane's disappearance, with 15% who say it's Not At All Likely.(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 was conducted on April 26-27, 2014 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.

51% Believe E-Cigarettes Should Be Regulated by Federal Government

The federal Food and Drug Administration has proposed new rules for electronic cigarettes, and half of Americans agree the government should regulate this new smoking habit. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults believe electronic cigarettes should be regulated by the federal government the same way traditional cigarettes are. Thirty percent (30%) disagree. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 nationwide was conducted on April 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.

23% Think Schools Assign Too Much Homework

Most Americans think homework is a good measure of a student's performance, but only one-in-three feel that students today are getting the right amount of take-home work. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of American Adults believe that homework is at least somewhat important in assessing a student's overall performance in school, including 40% who say it’s Very Important. Just 11% think homework is not very or Not At All Important in measuring student performance. (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 22-23, 2014 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.

49% Oppose Affirmative Action in College Admissions, 25% Favor

The U.S. Supreme Court this week upheld a Michigan law that prohibits the use of race as a determining factor in college admissions. Half of Americans agree with that decision, and even more think it’s better for colleges and universities to put the emphasis on ability, not race.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults favor applying affirmative action policies to college admissions, unchanged from May of last year.  Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed, up from 44% in the previous survey. Twenty-six percent (26%) 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 onTwitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 22-23, 2014 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.

46% Are Not Willing To Pay More for a Cleaner Environment

Although a sizable number of Americans think the environment is getting worse, most don’t believe their fellow countrymen are willing to make major lifestyle changes to do something about it. Nearly half aren’t willing to pay a cent more to do so.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults believe major lifestyle cutbacks are necessary in order to save the environment. That’s down slightly from 51% in April 2010. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and say major lifestyle cutbacks are not necessary. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 20-21, 2014 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.

18% Plan to Celebrate Earth Day

Most Americans still consider Earth Day important, but fewer plan to do anything to mark the day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults think Earth Day, a tradition established in 1970, has helped raise the environmental awareness of most Americans. Forty-two percent (42%) do not, while 19% are not sure. Those findings have changed little over the years. (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 20-21, 2014 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.

54% Plan to Go to Church This Easter

Most Americans plan to attend a religious service this Easter, and even more will eat with their families to commemorate the day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults consider Easter, the day Christians believe marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as one of the nation’s most important holidays. That’s unchanged from last year but down from the mid- to upper 40s for the previous several years. Only 11% consider it one of the least important holidays, while 46% place it somewhere in between the two. (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 16-17, 2014 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.

69% Believe Jesus Christ Rose From the Dead

Today's Good Friday, the day Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified. Most Americans continue to believe Jesus was the son of God and rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 82% of American Adults think the person known to history as Jesus Christ actually walked the Earth 2,000 years ago. Just eight percent (8%) disagree, while 10% 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 16-17, 2014 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.

84% Consider the Level of Prom Spending Too High

Prom season is upon us, and it seems the days of cheap tuxedos and having your parents drop you and your date off at the school gym are long gone. A recent study conducted by VISA says the national average for prom spending in 2013 was $1,139 per family.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of American Adults think spending that much for a high school prom is too much, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just two percent (2%) say it's not enough, while nine percent (9%) consider the current level of spending about right. (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 April 12-13, 2014 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.

68% Say Frivolous Lawsuits Are Driving Up Health Care, Insurance Costs

Americans think it’s too easy to file a lawsuit nowadays, and even more still believe dubious lawsuits are driving up the price of health care, insurance and other products and services.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults feel it’s too easy to file a lawsuit in the United States, although that's down nine points from 53% in October 2012. Sixteen percent (16%) say it’s too hard, while 22% think the level of difficult is about right. (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.

This survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 4-5, 2014 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.

78% View Politicians As Less Ethical Than Those in Other Professions

Most Americans think their fellow countrymen try to live ethical lives, but they don’t believe many of those in several top professions measure up.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults believe most Americans try to do the right thing and live their lives in an ethical fashion.  Just 27% disagree, but 16% 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 telephone survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on April 8-9, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% Think There Are Too Many Lawyers in U.S.

Most Americans still think there are too many lawyers in the country today, and they’re not happy that they make up the majority of Congress.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think there are too many lawyers in America, although that’s down slightly from 60% in 2012. Just nine percent (9%) feel like there are not enough lawyers. Nineteen percent (19%) say the number of lawyers is about right, but 16% 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 American Adults was conducted on April 4-5, 2014 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.

Ellen, Colbert Are Leading Favorites for Letterman Job

David Letterman announced last week that he would be officially retiring from hosting duties of CBS-TV's The Late Show next year. Americans are closely divided as to who should take his place.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults share a somewhat favorable opinion of Letterman, including 13% with a Very Favorable opinion of the late night host.  Thirty-three percent (33%) view him somewhat unfavorably, with 14% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of Letterman. (For 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 6-7, 2014 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.

73% View Girl Scouts Favorably

It’s spring which means it’s time to stock up on Thin Mints. Over half of Americans bought Girl Scout cookies this year and continue to have a favorable opinion of the organization behind the popular treats.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults view the Girl Scouts of America at least somewhat favorably, including 29% with a Very Favorable opinion. Just 12% view the Girl Scouts somewhat or Very Unfavorably. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 April 2-3, 2014 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.

Dodgers, Red Sox Top Fans' 2014 World Series Picks

One week into the Major League Baseball season, this year’s championship team is anyone’s guess.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of baseball fans shows that 13% believe the Los Angeles Dodgers will win this year’s World Series. Just as many (12%) believe the defending champion Boston Red Sox will win again this year, while 10% think last year’s National League champion St. Louis Cardinals will win it all. (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 717 baseball fans was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Florida is The Favorite to Win Men’s NCAA Championship

March Madness followers are predicting the Florida Gators will win the national men's collegiate basketball championship this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Adults who are following the NCAA basketball tournament at least somewhat closely finds that 37% believe the University of Florida will win it all. The University of Kentucky Wildcats are second with 21% support. Sixteen percent (16%) pick the University of Wisconsin Badgers to win, while 10% favor the University of Connecticut Huskies. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 1,200 NCAA Basketball Tournament Fans was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2014 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.

Favorables for Boy Scouts Fall to 59%

Favorable views of the Boy Scouts of America continue to decline, but American still strongly believe that scouting is good for young people.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the Boy Scouts of America. However, this is down six points from 65% last May and a 14-point drop from 73% in February 2012.  Twenty-eight percent (28%) now view the Boy Scouts unfavorably.

The latest findings include 21% with a Very Favorable opinion, down from 40% two years ago, and 10% with a Very Unfavorable one.  Fourteen percent (14%) 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 April 2-3, 2014 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.

51% Are Concerned About the Safety of Vaccinations for Children

Americans remain almost evenly divided over the safety of childhood vaccines. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of vaccines for children, including 24% who are Very Concerned. Forty-five percent (45%) are not concerned about their safety, with19% who are Not At All Concerned. (For 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 American Adults was conducted on March 29-30, 2014 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.

24% Give NCAA High Marks for Policing College Athletics

Most Americans aren't impressed with the job the NCAA does policing college athletics. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 39% of American Adults have a favorable opinion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, while 37% view the organization unfavorably. This includes seven percent (7%) with a Very Favorable opinion and 10% 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 American Adults was conducted on March 27-28, 2014 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.