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Polls

A protestor rests next to their big government big mistake sign. (Photo: Reuters)

A protestor rests next to their big government big mistake sign. (Photo: Reuters)

Most voters still prefer a smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes, than the alternative — big government.

A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds 58% prefer a “smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes” juxtaposed to 32% who prefer a “more active government with more services and higher taxes.”

Voters were also asked about their take on what Republicans and Democrats in Congress prefer.

When it comes to Democrats, 62% of likely voters think they want bigger government and higher taxes. Another 24% say they want a smaller government.

When it comes to Republicans, only 22% think they want bigger government, while 63% say they want a smaller one with fewer taxes and services.

The national telephone and online survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted August 30 – September 2, 2018, by Rasmussen Reports. It has a sampling error of +/- 3% with a 95% Confidence Level.

Most voters still prefer a smaller government

Polls

Silhouettes of U.S. soldiers on a Humvee in front of an American flag. (Photo: AdobeStock)

Silhouettes of U.S. soldiers on a Humvee in front of an American flag. (Photo: AdobeStock)

The percentage of voters who say the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terrorism is the highest since February 2009. Rasmussen Reports has tracked sentiment since 2004.

For September 2018, 56% said “the U.S. and its allies” are “winning the the War on Terrorism,” two points higher than the 54% measured in April. It’s the highest since the survey conducted from February 4 to 6, 2009, when it came in at 62%.

Under Barack Obama, the percentage saying the U.S. and its allies were winning collapsed, particularly amid the rise of the Islamic States of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). But the once-strong terror army has been decimated, to the point of near annihilation.

Now, 47% say the U.S. is safer since than it was before the 9/11 terror attacks. That’s up from only 31% in November 2017 and the highest level of confidence in the nation’s safety since late 2012. Meanwhile, just 34% disagree, down from an all-time high of 60% measured two years ago.

The national telephone and online survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted September 5-6, 2018, by Rasmussen Reports. It has a sampling error of +/- 3% with a 95% Confidence Level.

The percentage of voters who say the

Elections

Mike Braun thanks supporters after winning the republican primary in Whitestown, Ind., Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Braun faced Todd Rokita and Luke Messer in the Republican primary race. Braun advances to a November matchup with Democrat Joe Donnelly, who is considered one of the Senate's most vulnerable incumbents. (Photo: AP)

Mike Braun thanks supporters after winning the republican primary in Whitestown, Ind., Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Braun faced Todd Rokita and Luke Messer in the Republican primary race. Braun advances to a November matchup with Democrat Joe Donnelly, who is considered one of the Senate’s most vulnerable incumbents. (Photo: AP)

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) endorsed Republican businessman Mike Braun for U.S. Senate in Indiana. Mr. Braun, who has the endorsement of the president, is running against vulnerable incumbent Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly.

The business leader’s group made the endorsement as part of a statewide Solutions Tour, saying in a statement that Mr. Braun “will be a champion for Indiana small businesses.” The former Democrat-turned-Republican businessman built Meyer Distributing in his hometown of Jasper.

“As a longtime business owner and member of NFIB, Mike Braun has a deep understanding of the challenges facing small business owners,” NFIB Indiana State Director Barbara Underwood, said. “We know that Braun will be a champion for Indiana small businesses and will work hard to eliminate burdensome regulations and protect small business tax cuts.”

The company, which entered into a 10-year agreement as part of Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE), has also been a member of NFIB since 1972.

“On behalf of our members in Indiana, we are proud to endorse Mike Braun and we look forward to working with him in the U.S. Senate.”

Mr. Braun beat out two sitting congressmen — Todd Rokita and Luke Messer — to win the Republican nomination. He outperformed among more educated, metro and suburban GOP voters as well more rural conservatives.

“In Washington, we need fewer politicians and more job creators,” Mr. Braun said in response. “I am proud to have built my company in my hometown, to have created good jobs for my friends and neighbors with nearly double the minimum wage starting out and no healthcare premium increases for 10 years running.”

“NFIB has been there with me for over 40 years, and I’m proud to accept their endorsement for my campaign to keep President Trump’s economy roaring and take my business experience to shake up business as usual in Washington.”

The U.S. Senate race in Indiana is rated a Battleground on the PPD Election Election Model.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

Economy

Job seekers adjust their paperwork as they wait in line to attend a job fair in New York February 28, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

Job seekers adjust their paperwork as they wait in line to attend a job fair in New York February 28, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

The U.S. economy added 201,000 jobs in August, wages increased and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.9%. That’s higher than the 185,000 consensus forecast and in line with the average monthly gain of 196,000 over the prior 12 months.

The labor force participation rate, at 62.7%, and the employment-population ratio, at 60.3%, both declined by 0.2 percentage point in August.

Mining employment increased by 6,000 in August, a continuance of a reversal from a negative trend under the previous administration. Since a recent trough in October 2016, the industry has added 104,000 jobs, mostly in support jobs.

Employment in construction also continued to trend up in August (+23,000) and has increased by 297,000 over the year.

Manufacturing, which has been very strong, changed little in August (-3,000). But over the year, employment in the industry was up by 254,000 and employment in the sector is the highest in decades.

In August, we see wage growth. Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 10 cents to $27.16. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 77 cents, or 2.9%, higher than the forecast.

Average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 7 cents to $22.73 in August.

The U.S. economy added 201,000 jobs in

Politics

First Lady: “You’re Not Protecting the Country. You’re Sabotaging It”

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, left, and First Lady Melania Trump chat with students during a visit to Orchard Lake Middle School in West Bloomfield, Mich., Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. (AP)

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, left, and First Lady Melania Trump chat with students during a visit to Orchard Lake Middle School in West Bloomfield, Mich., Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. (AP)

First Lady Melania Trump tore into the writer of an anonymous op-ed in the New York Times, saying he’s “sabotaging” the nation with “cowardly actions.”

“To the writer of the oped — you’re not protecting the country,” First Lady Trump said in a statement. “You’re sabotaging it with your cowardly actions.”

The full statement is below:

Freedom of speech is an important pillar of our nation’s founding principles and a free press is important to our democracy. The press should be fair, unbiased and responsible.

Unidentified sources have become the majority of voices people hear about in today’s news. People with no names are writing our nation’s history. Words are important, and accusations can lead to severe consequences.

If a person is bold enough to accuse people of negative actions, they have a responsibility to publicly stand by their words and people have the right to defend themselves.

To the writer of the oped — you’re not protecting the country. You’re sabotaging it with your cowardly actions.

First Lady Melania Trump tore into the

Polls

A papal silhouette with the Vatican flag and colors conceptualize the pope and the Catholic Church. (Photo: AdobeStock)

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano recently accused Pope Francis and other high-ranking Vatican officials of a “cover-up” involving accusations of sexual misconduct against the Catholic Church.

In the letter, Archbishop Vigano called on Pope Francis to resign, saying he and others were weaving a “conspiracy of silence” around former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, whom the Pope forced to resign last month after accusations that he abused a minor in the 1970s.

Now, according to a new poll, nearly 3 out of 4 (73%) American adults think the Catholic Church has a serious problem with sexual predators. Rasmussen Reports finds only 15% think the media is overhyping the church’s sex problems.

McCarrick, 89, retired as archbishop of Washington in 2006. Vigano alleges that former Pope Benedict XVI knew of the accusations against him and had McCarrick placed restrictions on him in both 2009 or 2010.

Meanwhile, the pope’s favorability numbers are heading in the wrong direction. While 50% have at least a somewhat favorable view of him, 35% have at least a somewhat unfavorable of him and another 15% were unsure or refused to answer.

Men (47%) are slightly less likely than women (53%) to hold a favorable view of Pope Francis. The same is unsurprisingly true of Democrats (65%) juxtaposed to Republicans (38%) and unaffiliated adults (45%).

The survey of 1,000 American adults was conducted September 3-4, 2018 by Rasmussen Reports. It has a sampling error of +/- 3% with a 95% Confidence Level.

Following new accusations, nearly 3 out of

Economy

A Walmart employee who serves as a "customer host," walks in front of the customer service desk at a Walmart super-center location in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo: People's Pundit Daily/PPD)

A Walmart employee who serves as a “customer host,” walks in front of the customer service desk at a Walmart super-center location in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo: Laura Baris/People’s Pundit Daily/PPD)

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI) indicates U.S. service sector growth accelerated in August. The NMI came in at 58.5, beating the consensus forecast that was looking for a reading of 56.8.

Sixteen, or all but one, non-manufacturing industries reported growth. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index rose above 60 to 60.7%. That’s 4.2 percentage points higher than the July reading of 56.5%, reflects growth for the 109th consecutive month, and at a faster rate.

The New Orders Index also came in above 60 at 60.4%, which is 3.4 percentage points higher than previous month’s reading of 57%.

“There was a strong rebound for the non-manufacturing sector in August after growth ‘cooled off’ in July,”  Anthony Nieves, Chair of the ISM Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. “Logistics, tariffs and employment resources continue to have an impact on many of the respective industries. Overall, the respondents remain positive about business conditions and the economy.”

The Employment Index increased 0.6 percentage point in August to 56.7%, a reading held back by the skills gap. Employers have now shifted from not having the means to hire to not finding qualified workers in a strong labor market.

The Prices Index fell 0.6 percentage point from the July reading of 63.4% to 62.8%, indicating that prices increased in August. However, despite the calls to end tariff tit-for-tats, this is the 30th consecutive month prices have increased.

The only industry to report a decrease in growth was Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting.

American Manufacturing Sector Graphic Concept. (Photo: AdobeStock)

American Manufacturing Sector Graphic Concept. (Photo: AdobeStock)

Read Also – ISM Manufacturing Index (PMI) Indicates Growth Surge in August

The ISM manufacturing index (PMI) came in at a very strong 61.3% in August.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Non-Manufacturing

Economy

Job seekers wait to meet with employers at a career fair in New York City, October 24, 2012. (Photo: Reuters)

Job seekers wait to meet with employers at a career fair in New York City, October 24, 2012. (Photo: Reuters)

The ADP National Employment Report finds the U.S. private sector added 163,000 jobs in August, with mid-sized businesses driving growth. The consensus forecast was looking for 182,000.

But the markets still view the report as solid, especially in the wake of jobless claims falling to the lowest level since December 6, 1969. The 4-week average also fell to the lowest level since December 6, 1969. That’s rare, and the roughly 50-year low is a good sign ahead of the monthly jobs report due out Friday.

“The job market is hot. Employers are aggressively competing to hold onto their existing workers and to find new ones,” Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, said. “Small businesses are struggling the most in this competition, as they increasingly can’t fill open positions.”

The goods-producing sector saw a scale back this month, though another 19,000 manufacturing jobs were added in August. The manufacturing sector under the Trump Administration has posted the strongest demand for labor in decades. The PMI this morning indicated a surge was headed our way.

Meanwhile, the service-providing sector added 139,000 jobs in August, with professional/business services (+38,000) contributing the most.

“Although we saw a small slowdown in job growth the market remains incredibly dynamic,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “Midsized businesses continue to be the engine of growth, adding nearly 70 percent of all jobs this month, and remain resiliant in the current economic climate.”

Mid-sized businesses with 50-499 employees led the way adding 111,000 jobs in August, followed by large businesses with 500 or more employees at 31,000. Small businesses, which cite tax reform as the reason to have record high levels of optimism, added 21,000. While that’s a bit lower this month, they have returned to historical levels.

The ADP National Employment Report finds the

Economy

4-Week Average for Jobless Claims Also Fell to Lowest Level Since December 6, 1969

U.S. jobless claims graph on a tablet screen. (Photo: AdobeStock)

U.S. jobless claims graph on a tablet screen. (Photo: AdobeStock)

Initial jobless claims fell to a seasonally adjusted initial claims fell to 203,000 for week ending September 1, the lowest level since December 6, 1969. As People’s Pundit Daily reported, the 4-week average had fallen last week to the lowest level since December 13, 1969.

The 4-week moving average fell to 209,500, a decline of 2,750 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 212,250. This is again the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969 when it was 204,500.

The Labor Department (DOL) said no state was triggered “on” the Extended Benefits program during the week ending August 18.

In lagging data, the advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was unchanged at a very low 1.2% for the week ending August 25. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment fell by 3,000 during the week ending August 25 to 1,707,000.

The 4-week moving average was 1,718,500, a decrease of 13,250 from the previous week’s revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since December 8, 1973 when it was 1,715,500.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending August 18 were in New Jersey (2.5), Connecticut (2.2), Pennsylvania (2.0), Puerto Rico (1.9), Rhode Island (1.9), Alaska (1.8), California (1.8), Illinois (1.5), Massachusetts (1.5), and New York (1.5).

The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending August 25 were in New York (+4,853), Michigan (+927), Pennsylvania (+582), Washington (+556), and Oregon (+364), while the largest decreases were in California (-1,432), New Jersey (-905), Georgia (-532), Ohio (-365), and North Carolina (-214).

The Unemployment Weekly Insurance Claims report indicates another solid Employment Situation. The monthly jobs report on the labor market is due out Friday morning.

Initial jobless claims and the 4-week average

Politics

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, center, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, to his right, hold a press conference announcing the dismantling of the largest dark website in the world on July 20, 2017. (Photo: AP)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, center, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, to his right, hold a press conference announcing the dismantling of the largest dark website in the world on July 20, 2017. (Photo: AP)

President Trump teased the full declassification of the FISA warrant used to spy on his campaign, a move that will more than embarrass Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who serves as acting attorney general for all things Russia.

“The Deep State and the Left, and their vehicle, the Fake News Media, are going Crazy – & they don’t know what to do,” President Trump tweeted Thursday morning. “The Economy is booming like never before, Jobs are at Historic Highs, soon TWO Supreme Court Justices & maybe Declassification to find Additional Corruption. Wow!”

The Trump Administration is pushing back hard on disputed claims in a recent book written by Bob Woodward, which was used as timing for an anonymous op-ed in the New York Times by someone claiming to be a “top official” in the White House.

The timing of both are curiously in line with other recent leaks and subversions like the op-ed. Revelations of FISA abuse are now routinely met with stories and narratives meant to distract Americans from learning about the government’s actions before, during and after the 2016 presidential election.

The Justice Department (DOJ) previously released documents used to justify the FISA warrant application to spy against Carter Page, a former and peripheral campaign adviser to then-candidate Donald Trump.

The heavily-redacted documents on their own already confirmed crucial and disturbing details of the memo prepared by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., and other Republicans on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).

That includes the allegation that the DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) relied upon the infamous and discredited dossier put together by former MI6 British intelligence agent Christopher Steele, , identified as Source #1.

The dossier was funded by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the campaign for Hillary Clinton, who hired the shadowy smear firm Fusion GPS, who in turn hired Mr. Steele. The former spy of the Russia desk at MI6 almost exclusively used Kremlin sources to gather the information he then fed to DOJ officials Bruce Ohr.

Mr. Ohr, the former associate attorney general who was twice demoted for trying to hide his contacts with Mr. Steele, was in turn feeding the dossier to Andrew Weissmann, the number two on Democrat-dominated team put together by Special Counsel Robert Mueller III.

But Obama Administration officials never told the FISA court that it was political opposition research. Multiple sources claim the full un-redacted version of the FISA warrant will implicate Mr. Rosenstein.

Joseph DeGenova, a former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said Wednesday night on “Hannity” that Mr. Rosenstein is under investigation and can no longer sign off on FISA warrants as a result of his role.

While such rumors have been circulating, People’s Pundit Daily (PPD) has not been able to independently confirm the claim. However, the DOJ Office of Inspector General has been investigating wrongdoings at the bureau and department, which does include Mr. Rosenstein’s behavior as acting attorney general.

President Trump teased the full declassification of

People's Pundit Daily
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