Lifestyle

76% Say Drought Is Driving Up Food Prices

Tropical Storm Isaac could bring some rain to the states in the Mississippi Valley this week, but it is unlikely to break the drought that has had a stranglehold on the Midwest for months. Americans are highly concerned about the drought's impact on the economy, especially on food prices.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about the potential impact of the drought on the U.S. economy, including 48% who are Very Concerned. Just 15% are not very or Not At All Concerned about the drought’s impact on the economy. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Win an iPad: The Rasmussen Challenge Starts Today! This week’s entries will be accepted until 11:59pm ET on Wednesday.

Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription . Offer good through October 1, 2012.

(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 August 23-24, 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.

73% Concerned About Spread of West Nile Virus

This year has seen the highest number of reported West Nile virus cases in the United States since the virus was first detected in 1999, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control. Most Americans are concerned about the spread of the virus, and a majority says they’d get vaccinated if it were possible. But Americans are not as enthusiastic about the government requiring vaccinations during a health emergency.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Adults shows that 73% are at least somewhat concerned about the spread of the West Nile virus, with 27% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-seven percent (27%) don’t share this concern, but that includes just seven percent (7%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 25-26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription . Offer good through October 1, 2012.

69% Say They Have Returned A Lost Wallet

Fewer Americans say they have returned a lost wallet they found, but more have been on the receiving end of such honesty.  Most adults still say that if they get extra change from someone, they give it back. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that that 69% of American Adults say they have returned a lost wallet, although that is down from 75% measured in August 2010. Fifteen percent (15%) say they have not returned a lost wallet, while 16% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription . Offer good through October 1, 2012.

(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 August 17-18, 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.

66% Say Americans Less Honest Than They Used to Be

Most Americans still think their fellow citizens are honest, but even more agree that Americans aren’t as honest as they used to be.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults believe most Americans are basically honest. That’s up slightly from 52% in August 2010, the first time we asked the question. But 25% don’t think most Americans are honest, and 17% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Sign up for The Rasmussen Reader, now just $24.95 for a 12-month subscription . Offer good through October 1, 2012.

(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 August 17-18, 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.

52% Plan To Spend More On School Shopping Than Last Year

Despite concerns about the economy and inflation, most Americans with school age children plan to spend more money getting them ready for school than they did a year ago. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Americans who have children of elementary and secondary school age plan on spending more this year on school clothing and back-to-school supplies than they did a year ago. That compares to 40% at this time last year.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) think they will spend less this year, while 18% plan to spend about the same amount as they did a year ago. (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 August 15-16, 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.

47% Say Public Schools Best Option For Students, 39% Rate Them The Worst

Many Americans continue to give the public school system in the United States poor marks, but they still tend to think public schools are better than private schools and home schooling.   A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of American Adults believes public school is best for students. Thirty-five percent (35%) rate private school the best, while 11% think home schooling is the way to go.  (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 August 15-16, 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.

64% Favor Use of Surveillance Cameras in Public Places

Americans continue to favor the widespread use of surveillance cameras for safety and security purposes except at traffic lights.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of American Adults believe there should be surveillance cameras at all major public spaces such as train stations, parks and sports stadiums. Only 27% disagree and oppose the widespread use of such cameras. (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 August 13-14, 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.

54% Say Most School Textbooks More Concerned With Political Correctness Than Accuracy

A majority of Americans continues to feel school textbooks focus more on political correctness than on the accuracy of the information. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Adults think school textbooks are more concerned about presenting information in a politically correct manner. Twenty-two percent (22%) think most textbooks are more concerned with accurately providing information. Both findings are down slightly from October of last year. Twenty-four percent (24%) 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 August 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.

83% Are Confident Their Power Company Can Handle High Demand

Extreme weather and high demand have been causing major power outages around the country over the past year, but most Americans are confident that their utility company can meet the challenge. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 83% are confident the company that provides their electricity can handle the high power demands of heat waves and cold snaps. That includes 37% who are Very Confident. Just 11% don’t share that confidence. (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 August 13-14, 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.

Majority of Adults Believe Parents Should Have Choices About Children's Schools

When it comes to their child’s education, most Americans agree that parents should have a choice when it comes to prayer in school, what the students wear and how much of the year they spend in class. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults think parents should have a choice between sending their children to a school that allows in-school prayer and one that does not. Thirteen percent (13%) do not believe parents should have that choice, but another 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

23% Give U.S. Public Education Positive Marks

Americans still don’t think too highly of the public education system in the United States, but they continue to give much higher marks to the school their own child attends.

A new Rasmussen Report national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults rate the current performance of public schools in America today as good or excellent.  Thirty-six percent (36%) give public education in the United States poor marks.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

36% Support U.S. Manned Mission To Mars

NASA recently sent a robotic-like machine into space to further explore Mars, and now Americans are slightly more supportive of sending a human to the Red Planet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults think the current goals of the space program should include sending someone to Mars.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree, while 27% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

27% Favor Extending School Year to All 12 Months

Roughly one-in-four American Adults (27%) continue to favor extending the school year to a 12-month calendar, but 66% are opposed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Among adults who have children at home who attend elementary or secondary schools, 30% support year-round schooling, and 58% are opposed. (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 August 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.

Most Americans Favor More School Spending Until The Price Tag Is Attached

Most Americans don't think the government spends enough on public education until they find out how much it really does spend on schools. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults believe the government spends too much on public education.  Fifty-two percent (52%) disagree and feel the government doesn’t spend enough. Thirteen percent (13%) say the level of government spending is about right.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

66% Say Formal Education Key to Success in Life, Not Street Smarts

With the start of school right around the corner, most Americans continue to believe that what you learn inside the classroom is more valuable than what’s learned on the outside.

Two-out-of-three (66%) American Adults say formal education is more important for success in life than street smarts, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Twenty-one percent (21%) think street smarts are more valuable, while another 14% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

68% Are Confident About Nutritional Info on Restaurant Menus

A majority of Americans continue to trust the nutritional information they find in menus and on menu boards at restaurants across the country.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of American Adults are at least somewhat confident about the accuracy of nutritional information published on menus, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not confident in the accuracy of the nutrition information.

These findings include 20% who are Very Confident and just four percent (4%) who are Not At All Confident. They also show little change from January. (To see survey question wording, click here)

41% Dining Out Less Often Than They Were Six Months Ago

Fewer Americans than ever say they are going out to eat less often than they were six months ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults say they are dining out at a restaurant less often compared to six months ago.  Only five percent (5%) say they are going out to eat more often, while a majority (53%) is dining out about the same as they were six months ago. (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 July 30-31, 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.

68% Say There Are Too Many Unnecessary Laws in the U.S.

Although laws are meant to protect people from crime, the majority of Americans believe there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States and there are too many people in jail for violating them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults think there are too many unnecessary laws in the United States today. Nineteen percent (19%) do not, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

52% Say Violence in Video Games, Movies Leads to More Violence in Society

After alleged shooter James Holmes killed 12 people in a shooting spree at a midnight screening of the newest Batman film, many were wondering whether violence in movies leads to more violence in society.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults do believe violent movies and television shows lead to more violence in society. Thirty-four percent (34%) disagree, but 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 Adults was conducted on July 26-27, 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.

27% Say Sanctions Given to Penn State Too Severe

Americans strongly believe football programs have too much influence over their colleges and universities, and 20% think the NCAA didn't go far enough when it punished Penn State for ignoring longstanding child molestation charges against a popular football coach.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 27% of American Adults feel the sanctions on the Penn State football program are too severe. Thirty-six percent (36%) believe the level of punishment is about right. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)