TresSugar

Bush Sees No Post-Power Legacy Bump - How Do You Feel?

CitizenSugar — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 08:00:10 -0700

President Bush said recently that Barack Obama deserved his silence. But that doesn't mean Bush deserves America's approval. Both George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are viewed unfavorably by 63 percent of Americans, a rate that mirrors their low approval ratings during their final years in power.

In fact, Bush's 35 percent approval rating isn't too far off from his all-time low of 32 percent. Bush hasn't been able to regain positive approval ratings since around July 2005, and his time out of the spotlight hasn't helped. At 30 percent, Cheney's current approval rating is even lower than all those figures.

It looks like not even Will Ferrell's Broadway show about Bush could conjure up some feelings of nostalgia in Bush's critics.

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Congress Approval Hits Four-Year High - Do You Approve?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:30:37 -0700

Americans see their Congress in a rosier light these days. Accordingly, Congress saw a 20-point increase in its approval rating over the last two months, a jump that surely has Democrats basking in the good news. Thirty-nine percent of Americans now approve of the way national lawmakers handle their jobs. Increased satisfaction among Democrats is largely responsible for the spike. So tell me - do you approve or disapprove of Congress? Be sure to tell me why in the comments!

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Do You Think Global Warming Is Exaggerated?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:30:04 -0700

Well it looks like a backlash against green is upon us just in time for ~~St. Patrick's Day~~ Earth Day. According to a new Gallup Poll, a growing number of Americans think global warming is exaggerated.

Today, a record-breaking 41 percent of Americans believe the news hypes up the seriousness of global warming, compared to 28 percent who think the media underestimates the threat. And 29 percent of those surveyed think global warming is correctly portrayed.

Overall it looks like the sense of urgency surrounding global warming is melting away. So pretend you're Goldilocks' three (polar) bears - is news coverage of global warming too hot, too cold, or juuuuust right?

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Americans Heart Canada the Most - What's Your Favorite Country?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:54 -0800

Nine in 10 Americans have a favorable opinion of Canada, making the northern neighbor America's most favored nation! According to a new Gallup Poll only 6 percent of Yankees hold an unfavorable view of Canucks. Judging from President Obama's warm reception last week in Ontario, the friendly feeling is mutual. Check out which other countries fill out the top-five list of Americans' favorite countries! Source

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Alphabet Cities: How Well Do You Know Your Rankings?

LibertySugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:30:24 -0800

Ranking American cities has become an all-out fixation lately; the combinations are as endless as the lists.

We've shown you the best and the worst, so you must be getting savvy at knowing who's doing well and who's doing . . . well?

Take my quiz to see if you know what's what. Or? Just guess!

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Do You Think the Stimulus Will Help the Economy?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:00:15 -0800

Americans have some pretty low expectations these days. In a new poll only 38 percent of voters said they believe the $787 billion stimulus plan will help the economy.

Middle-income Americans are more likely to think the package will hurt the economy more than help it; while low and upper income individuals are more optimistic. Those making below $40,000 or above $100,000 are more likely to think it will help the economy.

What do you think of the stimulus bill?

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America's Top 10 Most Popular Cities!

CitizenSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:30:33 -0800

Each year the Pew Research Center looks into social and demographic trends. The survey investigates whether Americans like cities more than suburbs (the young do), whether they are satisfied with where they live (80 percent are), and how often they move (37 percent have lived in the same place their whole lives). It also breaks down preferences by political party, age, and gender. But my favorite part of the survey is the overall ranking of American cities. Find out which metropolises win the national popularity contest! And here's a hint - heavyweights like New York and Los Angeles don't make the cut!
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Has Big Brother Gone Too Far? US Wants Cell Phones & Soda

CitizenSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:30:23 -0800

When it comes to letting the government watch out for public safety, some things are off-limits for Americans. A new survey shows that while 62 percent of US adults think there should be a national ban on smoking in public locations, only 38 percent support a ban on cell-phone use while driving, and 70 percent oppose a tax on nondiet soda.

Despite the fact that smoking, driving distractions, and soda all pose health risks, Americans seem to single out smoking as a vice not protected from government control. And while drinking soda has a personal impact, driving on a cell phone and smoking both pose risks to innocent neighbors. Perhaps the distinction has something to do with the fact that the majority of Americans do not smoke, while many people do drive and drink soda.

Many things could be (and are) regulated in the name of public and personal safety. So what do you think makes Americans all right with banning smoking in public, but not other dangerous activities?

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Will the US Be Better Off in Four Years?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:30:27 -0800

The rate of optimism in America has barely broken 50 percent since 1993; but this month hopefulness has spiked. A new Gallup poll shows that 72 percent of Americans think the country will be better off in four years from now, while only 20 percent think it will be worse off after Barack Obama's first term.

The optimism surrounding Barack Obama's inauguration stands out more when compared to that seen at the beginning of other presidential terms. When President Bush was inaugurated in 2005, 53 percent of the country said it would be better off by 2009. In 2001, 46 percent thought we would be better off by 2005; and in 1992, 51 percent said we would be better off after Clinton's first term.

While I'm pretty impressed that 72 percent have faith that things will get better, perhaps it just means many can't imagine a situation worse than the present.

Should the Bush Administration Do More For Peace in Gaza?

LibertySugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:00:09 -0800

A recent Gallup poll asked Americans whether the Bush administration should be doing more, is doing the right amount, or should be doing less to help resolve the conflict in Gaza. Only 33 percent said the current American leadership should be doing more, compared to a combined 52 percent who oppose more US involvement.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been calling for a sustainable ceasefire, different than other countries that called for an immediate end to the violence. Last week, the US abstained from voting on a UN Security Resolution, passed by all other 14 members, which called for an immediate ceasefire. Both Hamas and Israel rejected the resolution. Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister took credit for the US abstention saying:

[W]hen the secretary of state wanted to lead the vote on a ceasefire at the Security Council, we did not want her to vote in favor. I said "get me President Bush on the phone." They said he was in the middle of giving a speech in Philadelphia. I said I didn't care. "I need to talk to him now." He got off the podium and spoke to me. I told him the United States could not vote in favor. . . . He immediately called the secretary of state and told her not to vote in favor."

US officials say Olmert's wrong, and Rice always was going to abstain from voting for an immediate ceasefire. Whether or not Israel's Prime Minister is responsible for US policy, do you think the Bush administration is doing enough?

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