Economic Pessimism Grows: 20% Say Their Finances Are Getting Better While 35% Say Worse

Posted on January 14, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters rate their own personal finances as good or excellent. That’s down twelve points over the past eight months. The latest Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 26% say poor. That figure is up twelve points since last April.

The survey conducted in April 2021 found that 28% believed their own finances were getting better while 21% said worse (net +7). The current numbers show a significantly more negative assessment: 20% now say their finances are getting better while 35% say worse (net -15).

Sixty-two percent (62%) of those with a postgraduate degree rate their own finances as good or excellent. A majority of all other voters say their finances are either fair or poor.

By a 41% to 20%, those with a high level of formal education say their finances are getting better. A solid plurality of all other voters say their finances are getting worse.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left nearly a decade ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

How do you rate the United States economy these days?

6% Excellent

17% Good

37% Fair

36% Poor

4% Not sure

Question 2:

Ok, is the U.S. economy getting better or worse these days?

19% Better

53% Worse

22% About the same

6% Not sure

Question 3:

How do you rate your personal finances these days?

9% Excellent

28% Good

34% Fair

26% Poor

4% Not sure

Question 4:

Are your personal finances getting better or worse these days?

20% Better

35% Worse

40% About the same

5% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on January 6-7, 2022. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

55% Know of Local Businesses Unable to Hire As Many Workers As They Need

Posted on January 11, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-five percent (55%) of voters know of local businesses that are unable to hire as many workers as they need. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 24% do not know of any such businesses in their area while 20% are not sure.

The survey also found that 59% say businesses in their area are hiring people while just 10% say they are laying people off. Sixteen percent (16%) report that neither is happening in their area and 15% are not sure.

Under normal circumstances, that strong awareness of companies hiring would be a very positive economic indicator. The numbers are more positive than ever before recorded in a Scott Rasmussen survey. However, it is more difficult to interpret those results in light of the fact that a majority of voters know of businesses that can’t find enough workers.

Data released earlier showed that 57% of voters favor making the Trump tax cuts permanent.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

Generally speaking, are businesses in your area hiring people or laying people off?

59% Hiring

10% Laying off

16% Neither

15% Not sure

Question 2:

Do you know of any local businesses that are unable to hire as many workers as they need?

55% Yes

24% No

20% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on January 6-7, 2022. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 3.1 percentage points.

55% Believe Tax Hikes Lead to Job Losses

Posted on December 9, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-five percent (55%) of voters believe tax hikes on businesses and individuals generally lead to job losses. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 20% disagree and 25% are not sure.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Republicans see a connection between higher taxes and job losses. So do 49% of Democrats and 49% of Independent voters.

More broadly, just 21% of all voters believe tax hikes are generally good for the economy. Fifty-one percent (51%) see them as bad.

On this, however, there is a significant partisan divide. Democrats, by a 45% to 32% margin, see tax hikes as good for the economy. Republicans reject that view by a 72% to 12% margin. Among Independents, 50% see tax hikes as bad for the economy while 13% see them as good.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of all voters are opposed to tax hikes that lead to job losses.

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Question 1:

Generally speaking, are higher taxes good for the economy or bad for the economy?

21% Good for the economy

51% Bad for the economy

10% No impact

17% Not sure

Question 2:

Okay, do tax hikes on businesses and individuals generally lead to job losses?

55% Yes

20% No

25% Not sure

Question 3:

If you knew that tax hikes on business and individuals led to job losses, would you support them?

21% Yes

65% No

14% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 6-8, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

59% Believe Blocking Keystone Pipeline Has Led to Higher Gas Prices

Posted on December 6, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of voters believe that the Biden administration’s blocking of the Keystone pipeline project and another midwestern pipeline have caused gas prices. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 19% disagree and 23% are not sure.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Republicans believe Biden’s policies have contributed to rising gas prices. That view is shared by 54% of Independents and 48% of Democrats.

Data released earlier showed that 40% of voters believe that rising gas prices are a bigger problem than climate change. Just 29% take the opposite view and see climate change as the bigger problem.

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Question 1:

The Biden administration has blocked the Keystone pipeline project and another midwestern pipeline. Have these actions caused gas prices to rise?

59% Yes

19% No

23% Not sure

Question 2:

While seeking to limit U.S. oil production, the Biden administration is encouraging Russia and Arab nations to pump more oil. Do you favor or oppose this policy?

14% Strongly favor

17% Somewhat favor

19% Somewhat oppose

27% Strongly oppose

22% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on November 29-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

65% Believe Big Government and Big Business Act Together in Ways that Hurt Everyday Americans

Posted on December 6, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters believe that big government and big business act together in ways that hurt everyday Americans. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 15% disagree and 20% are not sure.

Among voters who prefer Trump-like policies, 74% see big government and big business acting together in ways that harm everyday Americans. That view is shared by 67% of Sanders’ Democrats, 62% of Traditional Democrats, and 59% of Traditional Republicans.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of all voters also believe that big government and big business act together in ways that hurt small businesses. Just 12% disagree and 19% are not sure.

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Question 1:

Generally speaking, do big government and big business act together in ways that hurt everyday Americans?

65% Yes

15% No

20% Not sure

Question 2:

Do big government and big business act together in ways that hurt small businesses?

69% Yes

12% No

19% Not sure

Methodology

81% See Inflation As Ongoing Problem; Just 9% Say Worst of Price Increases Are Behind Us

Posted on November 24, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of voters have recently experienced sharp price increases. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that only 8% have not and another 5% are not sure.

Just 9% believe the worst of the price increases behind us. The vast majority of voters (81%) believe inflation will be an ongoing problem.

Data released earlier found that 56% believe President Biden’s Build Back Better plan will make things worse by increasing inflation. Just 14% think that legislative plan will help by reducing inflation. Those results are consistent with other survey data showing that 59% generally believe that increased government spending leads to inflation.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) believe it is accurate to call inflation a tax on the poor. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 23% disagree and 20% are not sure.

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Question 1:

Thinking about things you buy on a regular basis, have you recently experienced sharp price increases?

87% Yes

8% No

5% Not sure

Question 2:

Looking ahead, do you believe that inflation will be an ongoing problem? Or are the worst of the price increases behind us?

81% An ongoing problem

9% Worse is behind us

9% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on November 22-23, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

26% Say Personal Finances Getting Better; 30% Say Worse

Posted on November 15, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Twenty-six percent (26%) of voters nationwide say their own personal finances are getting better. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 30% take the opposite view, saying their finances are getting worse.

Those results are marginally better than the numbers from a month ago. However, this is the third consecutive survey showing more pessimism than optimism. That’s a big change from late July when 31% said their finances were getting better and just 26% said worse.

The current totals include 7% who say their finances are getting much better and 12% who say much worse. That’s a more negative assessment than last month.

Forty-three percent (43%) of voters rate their own personal finances as good or excellent. That’s up six points from a month ago but down six since April.

As for the overall economy, just 27% believe things are getting better while 52% think they are getting worse.

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Question 1:

How do you rate the U.S. economy these days?

4% Excellent

20% Good

32% Fair

41% Poor

3% Not sure

Question 2:

Okay, is the U.S. economy getting better or worse these days?

5% Much better

22% Somewhat better

18% About the same

28% Somewhat worse

24% Much worse

3% Not sure

Question 3:

How do you rate your personal finances these days?

11% Excellent

32% Good

35% Fair

21% Poor

1% Not sure

Question 4:

Are your personal finances getting better or worse these days?

7% Much better

19% Somewhat better

42% About the same

18% Somewhat worse

12% Much worse

2% Not sure

Question 5:

Is the United States currently in a recession?

40% Yes

29% No

31% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on November 4-7, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

23% Support Federal Takeover of Banking System; 63% Oppose

Posted on November 11, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Twenty-three percent (23%) of voters favor eliminating all private banks in the United States and having the federal government provide banking services for everyone. That approach has been advocated by Saule Omarova, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Comptroller of the Currency.

A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 63% are opposed to ending the private banking system and 14% are not sure.

Those totals include 8% who Strongly Favor the proposal and 47% who are Strongly Opposed.

Those who support policies like those of Bernie Sanders are evenly divided on the question. Traditional Democrats oppose the federal takeover of banks by a 62% to 25% margin.

There is a similar gap on questions of economic policy goals. A plurality of Sanders’ supporters believe fighting economic inequality is more important than encouraging economic growth. By a 64% to 29% margin, traditional Democrats want the focus on economic growth.

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Question:

A proposal has been made that would eliminate all private banks in the United States and have the federal government provide banking services for everyone. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

8% Strongly favor

15% Somewhat favor

16% Somewhat oppose

47% Strongly oppose

14% Not sure

Methodology

61% Say Policy Should Focus on Encouraging Economic Growth; 27% Say Fighting Economic Inequality

Posted on November 11, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters believe economic policy should focus on encouraging growth rather than fighting economic inequality. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 27% disagree and 12% are not sure.

By a 49% to 40% margin, those who prefer Bernie Sanders like policies think fighting inequality is more important. However, those who prefer traditional Democratic policies take the opposite view: 64% believe economic growth should be the goal while just 29% want the focus on inequality.

The views of traditional Republicans are similar to those of traditional Democrats. Those who prefer policies like those of Donald Trump favor growth over fighting inequality by a 78% to 11% margin.

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Question:

In terms of economic policy, which is more important: encouraging economic growth or fighting economic inequality?

61% Encouraging economic growth

27% Fighting economic inequality

12% Not sure

Methodology

57% Say Inflation is a Tax on the Poor; 23% Disagree

Posted on October 27, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-seven percent (57%) believe it is accurate to call inflation a tax on the poor. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 23% disagree and 20% are not sure.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of Republicans view inflation as a tax on the poor. So do 56% of Independent voters and 55% of Democrats. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of White voters share that view along with 56% of Hispanic voters and 50% of Black voters.

A survey conducted last month found that 59% of voters nationwide believe increased government spending leads to inflation. Only 14% disagree.

That survey also found that just 22% of voters want Congress and the President to increase federal spending next year. Thirty-nine percent (39%) want spending to be cut and 21% would like it to remain about the same. That finding reflects a marked change from a year ago when just 14% of voters wanted the government to stop spending more money.

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Question:

Is it accurate to call inflation a tax on the poor?

57% Yes

23% No

20% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 21-23, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

70% Believe Anybody Willing to Work Can Find a Job

Posted on October 22, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Seventy percent (70%) of voters believe that just about anybody who is willing to work can find a job. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 19% disagree and 11% are not sure.

A majority of every measured demographic group believes there are jobs available for all who want one. That includes 82% of Republicans, 66% of Independents, and 61% of Democrats.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 30-October 2, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

45% Believe U.S. Currently In Recession

Posted on October 15, 2021 | by Laura Lington

Forty-five percent (45%) of voters believe the United States is currently in a recession. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 29% disagree and say the nation is not in a recession. Twenty-six percent (26%) are not sure.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Republicans believe that the U.S. is currently in a recession. So do 40% of Democrats and 40% of Independent voters.

There is a substantial racial divide on this question among Democrats. By a 56% to 21% margin, Black Democrats believe the country is in a recession. However, White Democrats are evenly divided: 40% say we are not in a recession, 38% believe we are.

This data is the latest to confirm growing pessimism about the economy. Twenty-five percent (25%) of voters nationwide say their own personal finances are getting better but 33% say they are getting worse. Additionally, 63% of voters have experienced backorders, delays, and shortages.

On a related topic, it appears many many people will be vaccinated against their will rather than lose their job. Forty-three percent (43%) say that’s a good thing while another 43% say it’s bad.

By a 55% to 30% margin, those who have already been vaccinated say it’s good to vaccinate others against their will. However, among those who are in no rush to get vaccinated or will never get vaccinated, just 6% say it’s a good thing while 85% say it’s bad. This suggests the possibility of a significant political backlash.

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Question:

Is the United States currently in a recession?

45% Yes

29% No

26% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 11-13, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

63% Have Experienced Backorders, Delays, Shortages

Posted on October 15, 2021 | by Laura Lington

Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters have experienced backorders, delays or shortages of items they would like to buy. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 31% have not and 6% are not sure.

Among those who have experience supply chain problems, the most common experiences revolve around new clothes, computers and tech gadgets, and home appliances.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of rural voters have experienced supply chain issues along with 62% of suburban voters and 58% of urban voters.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans have dealt with backorders, delays, and shortages. So have 61% of Independent voters and 53% of Democrats.

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Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

Pessimism Growing About Economy

Posted on October 14, 2021 | by Laura Lington

Twenty-five percent (25%) of voters nationwide say their own personal finances are getting better. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 33% take the opposite view, saying their finances are getting worse.

Those results reflect a growing pessimism about the economy. As recently as late July 31% said their finances were getting better and just 26% said worse.

The current totals include 8% who say their finances are getting much better and 10% who say much worse. That’s also a more negative assessment than last month.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters rate their own personal finances as good or excellent. That’s down nine points since July and down twelve points since April.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 5-6, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

76% Believe Raising Corporate Taxes Will Raise Prices for Consumers

Posted on September 25, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

If the federal government raises taxes on large corporations, 76% of voters think it is likely that consumers will end up paying higher prices. A Scott Rasmussen national survey also found that 73% believe such tax hikes will cause some companies to take jobs overseas.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of Republicans believe higher corporate taxes will lead to higher costs. S0 do 76% of Democrats and 68% of Independents.

Data released earlier showed that 61% of voters expect the Biden Administration to raise middle class taxes.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 22, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

68% Believe Fed Gov’t Efforts to Manage Economy Generally Do More Harm Than Good

Posted on September 17, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

When the federal government tries to manage the economy, 68% of voters believe it generally does more harm than good. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 20% disagree and 12% are not sure.

Those totals include 37% who Strongly Agree and 6% who Strongly Disagree.

That belief is shared by 82% of Republicans, 65% of Independents, and 60% of Democrats.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Hispanic voters believe government efforts to manage the economy generally do more harm than good. So do 69% of White voters and 62% of Black voters.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from September 10-11, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 239 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

48% Say Gov’t Regulation of Small Business Too Strict, 11% Say Not Strict Enough; Different Story for Big Business

Posted on September 14, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-eight percent (48%) of voters believe government regulations on small businesses are too strict. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 11% believe they are not strict enough while 24% believe the level of regulation is about right.

However, perceptions are much different when it comes to regulating big businesses. Forty percent (40%) say regulation of big businesses is not strict enough. Just 23% think they are too strict while 20% say about right.

There is a substantial gender gap on this topic. By a 46% to 15% margin, women believe that regulations on big businesses are not strict enough. Men are evenly divided between too strict and not strict enough.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of men believe the regulations on small businesses are too strict. Forty-two percent (42%) of women agree.

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Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

46% Think Self-Employment Is The Ideal Job

Posted on August 18, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-six percent (46%) of voters believe the ideal job is to be self-employed. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that another 21% would like to work for a small business.

Fifteen percent (15%) think that working for a large corporation would be ideal while 9% would like a government job.

Fifty percent (50%) of men think self-employment is the best. So do 43% of women.

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