Lifestyle

47% Say Office Betting Pools Good for the Workplace

Americans overwhelmingly believe office betting pools for events like the NCAA basketball tournament and the Super Bowl should not be illegal, and a sizable number thinks they are good for office productivity.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (47%) of American Adults believe office pools on sporting events help productivity by improving workplace camaraderie. Twenty-three percent (23%) say gambling pools at work hurt workplace productivity, while 19% say they have no impact. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. These findings show little change from late March 2009.
(To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 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.

36% Say There Are Too Many Competing State Lotteries

Lotto fever swept the country recently when the Mega Millions jackpot rose to a record-breaking $656 million, a prize that still has yet to be claimed. Support for state-run lotteries remains steady, but the number of Americans who say there are too many of them continues to rise.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American Adults believe there are currently too many competing state lotteries, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just nine percent (9%) say there aren’t enough. Forty-one percent (41%) think the number of lotteries is just about right. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 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.

48% Believe Easter One of Most Important Holidays

Today is Easter, and most Americans will find a way to celebrate.

Roughly half of American adults (48%) consider Easter one of the nation's most important holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fourteen percent (14%) see it as one of the least important, while 37% rank it somewhere in between. (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 3-4, 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.

77% Believe Jesus Rose From the Dead

This Easter weekend, Americans’ belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ remains strong.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of American Adults believe the person known to history as Jesus Christ walked the Earth 2,000 years ago. Just seven percent (7%) don’t share this belief. (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 3-4, 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.

56% Still Have Unfavorable Opinion of Tiger Woods

All eyes are on Tiger Woods this weekend at the Masters golf tournament, but most Americans still have unfavorable view of the former number one golfer in the world.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 34% of Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Woods, with 10% who view him Very Favorably. But 56% hold an unfavorable view of him more than two years after the marital infidelity scandal that derailed his career. That latter finding includes 23% with a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. (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 March 28-29, 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.

74% Have Unfavorable Opinion of Lindsay Lohan

Her numerous public trials, prison sentences and rehab stints have not left Lindsay Lohan in a positive light in Americans’ eyes.

Just 14% view the actress favorably, with five percent (5%) who view her Very Favorably, according to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey of American Adults. Three-fourths (74%) of American Adults have an unfavorable opinion of Lohan, including 44% with a Very Unfavorable opinion. (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 March 28-29, 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.

20% of Football Fans Say Punishment For Saints Coaches Too Severe

Several members of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff, including head coach Sean Payton, were suspended following the convictions of players who were paid bonuses for harming opponents.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Football Fans say the punishment given to the Saints coaches is just about right.  Twenty percent (20%) feel the punishment is too severe, while nearly as many (21%) say it is not severe enough.  Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 801 Football Fans was conducted on March 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

60% View Al Sharpton Unfavorably

All three are high-profile representatives of the political left, but that doesn’t necessarily make them popular.

In fact, just 26% of American Adults share an even somewhat favorable opinion of the Rev. Al Sharpton, with eight percent (8%) who view him Very Favorably. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% view the civil rights activist and MSNBC host unfavorably, including 37% with a Very Unfavorable view. Fifteen percent (15%) have no opinion of him. (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 March 28-29, 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.

59% Say Pete Rose Should Be in Hall of Fame

Most baseball fans nationwide believe Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose deserves to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Fans aren’t so forgiving about players who abused steroids.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Americans adults who watch baseball at least once a week shows that 59% believe Rose deserves to be honored in Cooperstown. Twenty-nine percent (29%) don’t believe Rose, who was made permanently ineligible for induction in 1991, should be allowed in today. Another 12% 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 800 Major League Baseball Fans was conducted on March 26, 2012 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.

76% of Football Fans Have Favorable Opinion of Tebow

Not only did Peyton Manning take over Tim Tebow’s spot as the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos, he comes out on top in terms of favorability among football fans nationwide.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Football Fans have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Manning, while just nine percent (9%) view the four-time MVP award winner unfavorably. Those figures include 53% who have a Very Favorable opinion of Manning and three percent (3%) who see him Very Unfavorably.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 801 Football Fans was conducted on March 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Opening Week: Yankees Favorite to Win 2012 World Series

Baseball fans have yet to see a regular season game played in the states, but a modest plurality is already predicting a 28th World Series win for the New York Yankees.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Adults who watch professional baseball at least once a week shows that 17% believe the Bronx Bombers are likely to win this year’s World Series. Not far behind the Yankees are their biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox, with 12% of the vote. Both the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers are picked by nine percent (9%) of fans to win the Fall Classic, while eight percent think the third time’s the charm for the Texas Rangers.

The survey of 800 Major League Baseball Fans was conducted on March 26, 2012 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.

Kentucky Heavy Favorite to Win Men’s NCAA Championship

A majority of NCAA basketball tournament followers are predicting the University of Kentucky Wildcats will win the national championship this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Adults who are following the tournament at least somewhat closely finds that 56% believe Kentucky will win it all. The Ohio State Buckeyes are in a distant second with 14% while 10% pick the University of Kansas Jayhawks to be 2012 champions. Just seven percent (7%) believe the University of Louisville Cardinals will be national champions when March Madness is over. Another 12% 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 559 NCAA Basketball Tournament Fans was conducted on March 26, 2012 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.

73% Say U.S. Children More Overweight Than Those Overseas

Americans strongly believe that children in this country are fatter than kids overseas and think it's parents' responsibility to do something about it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults think children are more overweight in America than in other countries. Just eight percent (8%) disagree, but another 18% are not sure. That's consistent with findings in November 2010 when Rasmussen Reports first asked this question.  (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 24-25, 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% Support Legalizing, Taxing Marijuana

More Americans than ever support legalizing and taxing marijuana. They remain less supportive of so-called “sin taxes” on soda and junk food.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 47% now believe the country should legalize and tax marijuana in order to help solve the nation’s fiscal problems. Forty-two percent (42%) disagree, while 10% 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 nationwide was conducted on March 24-25, 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.

33% Believe Zimmerman Guilty of Murder in Trayvon Martin Case

Despite round-the-clock media coverage of the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida, most Americans haven’t come to a conclusion yet whether it’s a case of murder or self-defense.

One-third (33%) of adults believe crime watch volunteer George Zimmerman should be found guilty of murder in the shooting death of the Florida teenager, while 15% think Zimmerman acted in self-defense, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 52% of Americans are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 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.

65% Say Most High School Graduates Lack Skills to Enter the Workforce

Americans strongly believe that most high school graduates lack the skills needed for college or a job. They also tend to believe students who are home-schooled learn more than those in the public schools.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 21% of American Adults think most of those graduating high school have the skills needed for college. Sixty-four percent (64%) disagree and say those graduates don’t have the necessary skills for college. Sixteen percent (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 survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 20-21, 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.

82% Oppose Ban on Donating Food to Homeless Shelters

Americans nationwide strongly oppose a policy similar to the one New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg enacted that bans food donations to homeless shelters. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that only nine percent (9%) favor a policy that forbids people from donating food to the homeless in their communities. Most adults (82%) oppose such a ban. (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 22-23, 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.

Just 23% Rate U.S. Public Schools As Good Or Excellent

This past week, a task force led by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and former New York City School Chancellor Joel I. Klein warned that the country’s economic and national security are at risk if schools do not improve. Adults nationwide overwhelmingly share this concern and give low marks to the performance of America's public schools.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 98% of adults believe the quality of public education is at least somewhat important to the future of U.S. economic and national security, including 83% who view it as 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 Adults was conducted on March 20-21, 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.

22% Say Government Should Ban Tobacco Smoking

Most Americans still don't think tobacco smoking should be outlawed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of American Adults think the U.S. government should ban the smoking of tobacco. That’s up from 17% in November 2010 but down from 25% in June 2009.  However, 71% disagree with a government ban on smoking. (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 March 14-15, 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.

74% Have Allergies or Know Someone Who Does

Spring is upon us, and for many, that means allergy season.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults suffer from allergies or know someone who does. That’s unchanged from last year. A lucky 22% do not suffer or know someone who does. (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 March 16-17, 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.