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Last Friday's positive report on job creation in the U-S economy is helping to bolster consumer confidence. At the same time, support of government programs for the chronically unemployed is slipping.

Consumer Confidence Climbs To Highest Level in A Year
Rasmussen Reports Survey of 1,500 American Adults

• The Rasmussen Consumer Index rose two points on Monday to 92.3, the highest level of confidence in just over a year and is the first daily update based entirely on interviews conducted after the government's upbeat report on job creation.

• Confidence is up five points since the release of the jobs report on Friday morning, and is now just one point below the highest level of confidence enjoyed since 2008.

• The Rasmussen Consumer Index is little changed from a week ago, but up six points from a month ago and up 28 points from three months ago.

• The Rasmussen Investor Index inched up three points on Monday to 104.8, up three points from a week ago, nine points from a month ago, and 27 points from three months ago.

• 37% of adult consumers now say the economy is getting better, up five points from Friday, while 43% say economic conditions are getting worse, also down four points from Friday.

• Among investors, 44% say the economy is improving while 37% say the opposite.

23% Support Ongoing Federal Support For Long-Term Unemployed
Rasmussen Reports Survey of 1,000 American Adults

• Just 14% believe the government should hire unemployed people who can't find work for an extended period of time, while only 9% favor extending unemployment benefits indefinitely.

• 30% still believe the government should help the long term unemployed by paying for their retraining, but 37% believe the government should do nothing at all for those individuals, while another 10% are undecided.

• The combined number (23%) that supports ongoing government support for the unemployed - whether it be hiring or indefinite unemployment benefits - is down from 32% in December and is the lowest finding in well over a year of tracking.

• The number that believes the government should do nothing at all is up seven points from the previous survey and is also the highest level measured during the same period.

• 42% believe that it would be bad for the economy if the government hires more people, a finding that has changed little since June of last year, while 36% say that increased government hiring would be good for the economy and 12% say it would have no impact.