Majority Sees U.S. Leadership in Space as Essential
Fifty years after the first American manned space flight, nearly six-in-ten say it is essential that the U.S. continue to be a world leader in space exploration and a majority say it has been a good investment for the country.
Four Years After Walter Reed, Government Still Faulted for Troop Support
As President Obama begins to draw down U.S. forces in Afghanistan, most Americans continue to say that government support for troops returning from war is falling short.
Living Together: The Economics of Cohabitation
The share of 30- to 44-year-olds living as unmarried couples has more than doubled since the mid-1990s. Adults with lower levels of education — without college degrees — are twice as likely to cohabit as those with college degrees.
Views of Obama’s Approach for Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal Little Changed
Following Barack Obama’s June 22 speech about the Afghanistan war, there has been little change in public opinion about the president’s plans for drawing down the number of U.S. combat troops in that country. A plurality still thinks withdrawal plan is about the right pace.
E-reader Ownership Doubles in Six Months
The share of U.S. adults who own an e-book reader — such as Kindle or Nook — doubled to 12% in May 2011 from 6% in November 2010. This is the first time that ownership of this device has reached double digits among adults.
Pessimism about National Economy Rises, Personal Financial Views Hold Steady
Opinions about the state of the economy remain grim, and President Obama has lost the bump in approval he received after the killing of Osama bin Laden. For all the negativity, however, there has been little change in people’s assessments of their personal financial situations.
Record Number Favors Removing U.S. Troops from Afghanistan
For the first time, a majority (56%) says that U.S. troops should be brought home as soon as possible, while 39% favor keeping troops in Afghanistan until the situation has stabilized.
U.S. Image in Pakistan Falls No Further Following bin Laden Killing
Most Pakistanis see the U.S. as an enemy, consider it a potential military threat and oppose American-led anti-terrorism efforts. A majority also describes bin Laden’s death as a bad thing and many say it will have a negative impact on the already strained relations between the U.S. and their country.
More Say GOP Would Be Mainly Responsible If No Increase In Debt Limit
Partisans express strong opinions about which side would be most responsible if no agreement is reached before the debt limit is hit.
Social Networking Sites and Our Lives
Close to half of all adults now use social networking sites (SNS) — double the number users in 2008 — and the average user is getting older. Are there benefits associated with being connected to others in this way? A new study finds SNS users more trusting, engaged and able to keep close social ties.
