http://newspolls.org/ Moski2.net http://newspolls.org/articles/19622 If losing jobs and seeing their stock portfolios decline isn't enough, Americans also have been stripped of one of their most important resources -- optimism. Nearly three-quarters of American adults believe future generations will face a harder time economically than current and past generations, according to a survey of 943 people by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19621 Americans overwhelmingly support President Obama's order that federal agencies must show a "presumption in favor of disclosure" when asked to open government records to the public, an order issued during his first full day in office. But a survey of 946 adult residents of the United States also found that 61 percent believe the federal government "only sometimes, rarely or never" obeys the Freedom of Information Act that requires such disclosure. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19620 Most Americans say it is very likely or somewhat likely that humans are not alone in the universe and that intelligent life exists on other planets. One in every 12 Americans has seen a mysterious object in the sky that might have been a visitor from another world, while nearly one in every five personally knows someone who has seen an unidentified flying object. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19619 Americans who watched the nation's longest and most expensive presidential primary fight unfold on television this year thought Democratic winner Barack Obama had the most inspirational ads of any candidate. They thought Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton used the most negative ads. And, in a close call, they thought Republican winner John McCain had the most honest ads. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19618 Illinois Sen. Barack Obama cinched the Democratic presidential nomination this week with the unprecedented help of an estimated 3 million Republican voters who cast ballots in their rival party's primaries. About 12 percent of Obama's aggregate vote in presidential primaries came from people who normally align themselves with the GOP. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19615 Nearly two-thirds of Americans think it is possible that some federal officials had specific warnings of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, but chose to ignore those warnings, according to a Scripps Howard News Service/Ohio University poll. Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19616 As the national mortgage crisis worsens, nearly one-fifth of Americans with mortgages report feeling financially pinched by their monthly payments. Homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages are almost twice as likely to say they're having trouble making payments than are people with traditional fixed-rate mortgages. Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19617 Most Americans trust Democrats rather than Republicans to handle the war in Iraq, to balance the federal budget and to craft federal policies on thorny issues like abortion and illegal immigration. Republicans have hit such hard times with most of the American public that they are losing against Democrats on many of the GOP's historical core issues, Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19614 Don't remember much of the French you took in high school? You're not alone. Nearly two-thirds of Americans wish they'd taken more foreign language instruction while they were in high school. Adults are generally satisfied with the amount of mathematics and science they received, but a survey found a fairly widespread longing for more foreign language skills. Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19612 Nearly two-thirds of American adults want Congress to re-write or outright abolish the landmark No Child Left Behind Act that mandates nationwide testing of elementary students to determine if public schools are performing adequately. Opposition is especially high among people most familiar with the law, according to a survey of 1,010 adults conducted by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University. Wed, 30 May 2007 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19613 Plenty of skeletons are rattling in the political closets of the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates this year. A survey of 1,010 adults conducted by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University finds many Americans voice concerns about candidates who've used cocaine, been married three times, have uncommon religious beliefs, have little government experience or are just plain too old. Mon, 28 May 2007 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19610 Americans increasingly suspect the federal government has become cloaked in secrecy, a concern they don't have with their local and state governments. People also overwhelmingly believe that their federal leaders have become sneaky, listening to telephone conversations or opening private mail without getting court permission, according to a survey of 1,008 adults conducted by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University at the request of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19611 Americans agree that the baby boom _ the folks who flamboyantly celebrated sex, drugs and rock-n-roll _ is the nation's fun generation. A national survey also found that boomers are not regarded as the most generous, self-sacrificing or hardworking generation. But baby boomers are credited for enjoying life and for producing the best music of any recent generation. Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19609 About a third of America's adults have suffered from food illnesses like Salmonella, Botulism and E. coli at least once in their lives. Among those who've gotten ill, slightly more than half say they've contracted food illness more than once, a third say the illness was serious enough to cause them to visit a doctor and one in eight said they were hospitalized. People who've experienced food-borne disease are much less trusting that their state and local health departments will keep them safe from contaminated foods. Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19606 Americans who say it's acceptable to spank children are twice as likely to support the use of torture on suspected terrorists than are people who oppose spanking. A survey of 1,031 adults found that a narrow majority (52 percent) believes that "using torture to get information from a suspected terrorist" is "never justified" while 38 percent said it's "sometimes justifice." Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19608 Nearly half of adults admit they have ridden or driven motorcycles without wearing helmets, but they also overwhelmingly want state governments to make helmet use mandatory. Despite public opinion, 30 state legislatures have rolled back mandatory helmet laws in recent years after an aggressive lobbying campaign by motorcycle-advocacy groups. Wed, 23 Aug 2006 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19607 Ever run out of gas while driving or been accused of being reluctant to stop the car to get directions when lost? You're probably a guy. Do you enjoy shopping at the mall or prefer wine to the taste of beer? Odds are you're female. Many Americans are comfortable embracing gender stereotypes. Fri, 18 Aug 2006 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19605 President Bush has become so unpopular in recent months that he'd have a hard time beating Al Gore or John Kerry if he had to face his former Democratic rivals again this year, and would be thrashed by more than a 3-1 margin if he had to run against his own father, President George Herbert Walker Bush. Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19604 More than a third of the American public suspects that federal officials assisted in the 9/11 terrorist attacks or took no action to stop them so the United States could go to war in the Middle East. Belief in a 9/11 conspiracy strongly corresponds to rising anger and alienation with the federal government. Fifty-four percent say they "personally are more angry" at the government than they used to be, the highest level recorded in an 11-year trend study by the Scripps Survey Research Center. Wed, 02 Aug 2006 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19603 Most Americans don't believe they will experience a resurrection of their bodies when they die, putting them at odds with a core teaching of Christianity. The findings of a new poll by the Scripps Survey Research Center of Ohio University surprised and dismayed some of the nation's top theologians since it seems to put Americans in conflict with both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed, ancient statements of faith meant to unify Christian belief. Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19602 The keys to happiness are simple _ grow up, get married, have children, go to church and try to forget about the wilder days of youth. Fifty-two percent of Americans say they are "very happy" with their lives, a figure that changes enormously according to Americans' livestyles. Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19601 The gender gap is back. Just 30 percent of women approve of President Bush's job performance, according to the latest poll by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University survey of 1,007 adult residents of the United States. The poll found that 44 percent of men approved of him. Overall, Bush's approval rating was 37 percent. Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19600 Americans are gambling more than ever and generally say they support state licensing of lotteries, casinos, horse and dog tracks and charitable bingo parlors. For the first time, a majority of adults say they've placed at least one wager in a casino, while a third said they've gone to these betting parlors three times or more. Wed, 15 Mar 2006 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19599 Most Americans think the federal government operates with "too much secrecy" and overwhelmingly believe that public access to official records is critical to democracy, according to a poll conducted by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University. Sun, 12 Mar 2006 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19597 Most Americans believe God created humans on the sixth day of the universe, yet they also overwhelmingly want science-based evolution taught in public school. Half support President Bush's suggestion that public schools should also teach intelligent design, the notion that God played a role in the evolution of humans. But only 17 percent said they believe in intelligent design when asked their opinion of humanity's origins. Tue, 15 Nov 2005 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19598 More Americans say they have a friend or acquaintance who is an immigrant and those who do are more likely to favor a guest-worker program for foreigners. Fifty-eight percent say immigrants live in their neighborhood, up from just 44 percent 10 years ago. Wed, 02 Nov 2005 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19596 Thirty-six percent believe that America "basically is headed in the right direction" -- the lowest, most pessimistic result in the 12 years the Scripps Survey Research Center has asked that question. Who are the people who remain optimistic despite war, federal incompetence, charges of White House misconduct, the deadliest natural disasters in modern times, threat of a bird flu pandemic and unprecedented energy costs. Fri, 28 Oct 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19595 The popularity of Halloween in America is largely a function of geography and religion. It is celebrated by Roman Catholics in the Northeast but frowned on by evangelical Protestants in the South. The trend even reflects the average number of trick-or-treaters reported by Southern and Northern households, as Catholics welcome double the number of costumed children as do Southern Protestants. Thu, 27 Oct 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19594 Americans have not learned the lessons of this deadly hurricane season. Most families have not discussed what they will do if ordered to evacuate or how they'd find each other again if separated. Nearly half have failed to prepare a "disaster kit" with such basic items as a flashlight, battery-powered radio and medical supplies. Many have too much faith their insurance would cover storm damage. Tue, 25 Oct 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19593 Public support for the U.S. military occupation of Iraq has dwindled significantly in recent months so that the public is now evenly divided over whether to begin an immediate troop withdrawal before the Iraqi government is stable. Mon, 24 Oct 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19592 Women are more likely then men to insist that public schools should seek a broad range of ambitious goals, such as providing sound academic skills, preparing students to become good citizens and helping students to become reliable workers and to work well in teams. Wed, 24 Aug 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19591 Identity theft has become commonplace in America, thanks to the Internet and more convenient ways of banking and obtaining credit. In a poll conducted by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University, more than 50 percent of those asked said they are worried about identity theft, 35 percent said they knew of a victim, and 13 percent reported they have been victims themselves. Tue, 23 Aug 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19590 At least one in every eight adults in America ran away from home for more than a day as children, making juvenile flight a far more widespread problem than is commonly realized. A study by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University found that slightly more than 12 percent of the 1,016 adults interviewed last month reported they fled home at least once during childhood. That would translate to at least 27 million Americans. Thu, 11 Aug 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19589 Most Americans say the skyrocketing cost of gasoline will make them re-think their future car and truck purchases. Fifty-six percent said gas pump sticker shock would make them "consider buying smaller, more fuel efficient automobiles in the future." Thu, 21 Jul 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19588 Americans solidly oppose a cut-and-run policy for U.S. military operations in Iraq even as they heap criticisms on President Bush's handling of the war and question whether he has a well-thought plan to eventually extract troops from southwest Asia. Wed, 20 Jul 2005 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19587 These days the recipe for financial success may depend more on having successful parents than pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. Twenty-four percent report that it has been harder to reach financial success for them than it was for their parents. Another 48 percent predict it will be tougher still for their children. Wed, 16 Mar 2005 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19584 Despite conventional wisdom from the 2004 elections, Americans who think that combating hunger and child abuse are important moral issues far outnumber those concerned about same sex marriage or abortion. Fri, 18 Feb 2005 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19583 Most Americans guess wrong when asked to estimate how many troops have died in the U.S. occupation of Iraq, a sign that many are giving scant attention to the nation's most dangerous military operation since the Vietnam War. Fri, 11 Feb 2005 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19585 Blame the Internet, our cynical times or perhaps the increasing sophistication of youth. Whatever the reason, younger generations are learning the truth about Santa Claus at a much earlier age than older generations. Mon, 06 Dec 2004 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19586 Not everyone yearns for roast turkey and cranberry sauce at grandmother's house this Thanksgiving. One out of every eight people is planning a non-traditional Thanksgiving or has decided not to observe the holiday at all. Wed, 17 Nov 2004 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19582 John Kerry leads the presidential race by 5 percentage points among registered voters. But George W. Bush leads among the most likely of voters. Assumptions pollsters make in this close race can determine the leader in a poll. Thu, 14 Oct 2004 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19581 Thirteen percent of survey participants report they've lost a job in the past three years, a much broader sign of the last recession's impact than is reflected in recent federal employment statistics. About half of the unemployed people who found work reported that the new job paid less than the previous one. Wed, 01 Sep 2004 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19580 Tensions are rising over the accuracy of balloting in America as the next presidential election approaches. Slightly more than 6 percent of survey participants report they've experienced problems at the polls at some point since they began voting. Wed, 04 Aug 2004 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19578 Americans, among the world's most mobile people, are generally happy with their current homes. But they also overwhelmingly would consider moving to new cities and towns if opportunities arose. Tue, 13 Jul 2004 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19579 America's war on terrorism has regained the No. 1 spot in the public consciousness, but renewed interest in events in the Middle East does not seem to be helping President Bush's standing with the public. The incumbent's job-approval rating was at 46 percent. Tue, 29 Jun 2004 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19577 Americans overwelmingly support the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court ruling and believe it's very important for difference races to attend class together. But most of us also attended segregated schools and oppose new attempts to increase racial diversity in local schools. Wed, 24 Mar 2004 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19576 Passions have cooled during the two years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. Two-thirds of American adults think about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon less than once a day, a sharp decline from previous polls. Wed, 03 Mar 2004 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19575 Public confidence in America's military involvement in Iraq has dropped to its lowest level since the beginning of the war, with about a quarter of U.S. adults reporting they are "very certain" the military occupation of Iraq was the right thing to do. Mon, 01 Mar 2004 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19574 Most Americans believe Jesus of Nazareth was a historical person. More than two-thirds accept his own claim that he was the "son of God." But smaller percentages reporter they "absolutely believe" in his divinity, virgin birth or physical resurrection. Thu, 18 Dec 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19573 In a nation polarized by war, political partisanship and vexing cultural issues, it isn't surprising that Americans' views on sports vary widely. The Olympic Games are America's most popular sports spectacle, while the popularity of most other athletic events varies considerably by demographic group. A major study of the status of the popularity of sports in the United States. Wed, 17 Dec 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19572 Most Americans believe learning disabilities and mental health problems are becoming more common among children, with a third of all families having kids with some type of learning disorder. Health experts report poll findings are "staggering." Tue, 16 Dec 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19571 More than a quarter of American adults would vote against political candidates who publicly acknowledge being gay or lesbian. A majority oppose homosexuals marriage, but Americans are much more divided over legally recognized gay unions. Thu, 11 Dec 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19570 Thirty-eight percent of American adults report they plan to host a Thanksgiving dinner this year. The rest of us expect to eat someplace other than our own homes. A look at the demographics to the complex family question of who will carve the annual Turkey. Thu, 20 Nov 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19567 Federal unemployment statistics under-represent most Americans' personal experience with joblessness. More than a third of Americans report a member of their immediate family has lost a job during the past three years. Thu, 13 Nov 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19569 The popularity of tattoos in America varies dramatically according to generation with young adults 10 times more likely to sport permanent skin illustrations than are people of retirement age. Tue, 22 Jul 2003 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19568 Use of fireworks as backyard entertainment during the Fourth of July has exploded in recent years, with young adults beoming twice as likely as elderly Americans to have used firecrackers and other pyrotechnics as a means of celebration. Wed, 18 Jun 2003 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19566 Americans are fairly certain the use of military force in Iraq was the right thing to do, but are much less confident that Saddam Hussein had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction before the war began. Most think Saddam still lives. Thu, 22 May 2003 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19565 Memorial Day is rapidly becoming a vague concept since most Americans report neither they nor their family has been touched by the sacrifices of war. Wed, 21 May 2003 12:00:01 +0200 http://newspolls.org/articles/19564 Only a third of Americans say Spring is their favorite season of the year. Most adults report they doubt we become more romantic during this time. Tue, 18 Mar 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19563 More than a third of Americans observe the religious season of Lent by changing their personal lifestyles in the 40 days before Easter. Thirty-eight percent report they have fasted for religious or spiritual reasons at least once in their lives. Tue, 04 Mar 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19559 More than two-thirds of U.S. public report having an American flag in their homes that they display on national holidays, a significant increase from trends in the 1990s and a continuing emotional response from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19560 Founding fathers like George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are ranking far behind the popularity of modern chief executives like John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Thu, 06 Feb 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19561 Seventy-two percent of American adults report they have a "significant other" in their lives, suggesting that millions of Americans are unmarried but not unattached. Single women, however, are much more likely then men to say they do not seek a permanent relationship. Wed, 05 Feb 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19562 Nearly half of the U.S. public is "not certain" that the United States would be correct in sending its military to force Iraq to surrender its weapons of mass destruction, a significant decline in support since October. President Bush's approval rating drops to lowest level since Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Fri, 31 Jan 2003 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19557 Nearly half of America's adults report knowing someone who does not believe in God but who is celebrating Christmas this year. Americans overwhelmingly believe the holiday has become less focused on the birth of Jesus than it used to be. Mon, 09 Dec 2002 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19558 Half of adult Americans report they would not recommend a military career to their sons or daughters, with young adults, women, well educated people and liberals most strongly opposed to a military lifestyle for family members. Mon, 25 Nov 2002 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19556 The typical American this year will sit down to a turkey- or ham-centered Thanksgiving feast with an average of about 13 other people, almost all of whom are related to each other. The fourth Thursday of November is the most universally celebrated holiday. Tue, 19 Nov 2002 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19555 A new conflict with Iraq is unlikely to go down as one of America's favorite wars. Americans still relish their superpower status, but only the conflicts with Vietnam, Korea, Mexico and Spain are less popular than a new commitment of troops in the Middle East. Wed, 13 Nov 2002 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19554 Twenty-one percent of Americans believe it's very likely that a woman president will be elected in their lifetime, while 33 percent said it's somewhat likely and 45 percent said it is either somewhat or very unlikely. Thu, 31 Oct 2002 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19553 Twenty-nine percent of survey respondents picked the war on terrorism as the nation's most important issue, 21 percent chose the economy and 15 percent focused on improvements in public education. Wed, 30 Oct 2002 12:00:01 +0100 http://newspolls.org/articles/19552 In addition to asking Americans for their opinions on cancer, a major part of the June, 2002 survey examined Americans' views on religion and politics. In this story, Colleen Schmidt (Scripps Howard Foundation Wire) examines the role of personal religion in the lives of members of Congress, and how opinions differ on this sensitive subject. Wed, 26 Jun 2002 12:00:01 +0200