Here are some poll results released over the weekend by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Only 9% of Consumer & Investors Rate Economy as Good or Excellent
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures consumer confidence on a daily basis, stabilized at 68.4 on Saturday. Consumer confidence is up four points from a week ago, up twelve points from a month ago and up nine points from the beginning of the year.
After reaching its highest level in four months, the Rasmussen Investor Index fell three points today to 71.8. Despite the decline, the Index is up three points from a week ago, up fifteen points from a month ago and is up nine points from its first reading of this year.
Nationally, consumers and investors share similar views of the U.S. economy. Only 9% from each group rate the economy as good or excellent. Sixty-three percent (63%) of consumers and 60% of investors give the economy a poor rating. Meanwhile, 79% of consumer and 82% of investors believe the economy is currently in a recession.
Three-out-of-four Americans know someone who has been laid off. Nineteen percent (19%) of workers say they've been asked to take either a pay cut or time off without pay. A Rasmussen video report shows 45% of workers would be willing to take an unpaid week off to help their companies financially .
Most Americans say it would be better for the economy to let AIG go out of business rather than providing federal subsidies to keep it afloat. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner gets rave reviews from America's political class including a 76% approval rating. However, Mainstream America has a fundamentally different view.
The Rasmussen Consumer Index and Investor Index are derived from nightly telephone surveys of 500 adults and reported on a three-day rolling average basis. The baseline for the Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. Readings above 100.0 indicate that confidence is higher than in the baseline month. Detailed supplemental information is available for Premium Members . Historical data for the Consumer and Investor indexes as well as attitudes about the economy and personal finances are also available to Premium Members.
The Rasmussen Consumer Index reached its highest level ever at 127.0 on January 6, 2004. The all-time low was reached on March 10, 2009 at 54.7.
The Rasmussen Investor Index reached its highest level ever at 150.9 on January 7, 2004. The lowest level ever measured was 52.5 on March 9, 2009.
The baseline for the Rasmussen Consumer Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. At 68.4 the overall levels of economic confidence are significantly lower today than they were in the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
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