The Atlantic / Aspen Institute

American Values Survey

1
Survey Objectives Survey Objectives Survey Objectives Survey Objectives
The study of What Americans Believe, conducted by Penn
Schoen Berland for The Aspen Ideas Festival in partnership
with The Atlantic and the Aspen Institute, provides a detailed
assessment of what Americans say their values are. From
death to taxes, the economy to politics, family, religion,
science, education, free speech and beyond, this survey of
2,000 Americans identifies the issues that divide us and the
ties that unite us as a nation.
2
Survey Methodology
From May 25, 2012 to June 6, 2012, Penn Schoen Berland conducted 2,006 interviews
with the adult general population of the United States. Of the 2,006 interviews
completed, 1,006 interviews were conducted by phone and 1,000 interviews were
conducted online.
The data presented in this study are reflective of U.S. Census Bureau demographic
statistics in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, income, education, and region.
3
Sample Size Margin of Error
General Population (All), including: 2,006 2.19%
Male 963 3.16%
Female 1,043 3.03%
Age 18-29 441 4.67%
Age 30-44 542 4.21%
Age 45-64 682 3.75%
Age 65+ 341 5.31%
Democrats 622 3.93%
Republicans 542 4.21%
Independents 782 3.50%
Northeast 361 5.16%
Midwest 441 4.67%
South 722 3.65%
West 481 4.47%
Showing All
17% 12% 69% 1%
Stronger Stayed the same Weaker Don't know
Most think American values have declined Most think American values have declined Most think American values have declined Most think American values have declined
since the 1970s since the 1970s since the 1970s since the 1970s
4
Do you think that American values have strengthened, declined, or stayed about the
same since the 1970s?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Stronger 17 19 16 26 16 13 15 23 8 18 20 10 21 14
Weaker 69 67 72 59 73 73 70 60 85 66 66 75 70 66
Stayed about the same 12 14 12 14 11 12 14 16 6 14 10 14 9 19
Dont know 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 0 2 3 1 0 1
Political corruption, focus on money and declining Political corruption, focus on money and declining Political corruption, focus on money and declining Political corruption, focus on money and declining
family values weakens family values weakens family values weakens family values weakens A AA American values merican values merican values merican values
Penn, schoen & berland
5
Which, if any, of these factors do you think contributes to America having weaker
values than other places in the world? Please tell me all that apply.
3%
3%
30%
43%
47%
47%
53%
55%
55%
57%
61%
61%
61%
63%
None of the above
Other
Openness to accepting alternate lifestyles
Power of Wall Street
Too much political correctness
Apathy / lack of strong work ethic
Lack of strong moral leaders / role models
Use of drugs and alcohol
Scandals by public officials
Celebrity-obsessed culture
Declining family values
Too much focus on money / material things
Influence of money in politics
Political corruption
Showing All
Fewer Americans are embracing religion Fewer Americans are embracing religion Fewer Americans are embracing religion Fewer Americans are embracing religion
Belief in God has declined significantly from the 1940s and 11% now say they do not
believe in God
6
Do you believe in God?
96%
98%
89%
1%
1%
11%
Yes No
2012
1967; Gallup
1944; Gallup
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region Religious
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Yes 89 85 92 81 90 91 92 88 96 84 85 89 93 84 99 77
No 11 15 7 19 10 9 6 12 4 15 14 11 6 15 1 23
Dont know 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1
M MM Most Americans and especially younger ost Americans and especially younger ost Americans and especially younger ost Americans and especially younger
generations accept alternative lifestyles generations accept alternative lifestyles generations accept alternative lifestyles generations accept alternative lifestyles
7
Please indicate whether each of the
following is morally acceptable or
morally objectionable.
Showing % Morally acceptable /
morally objectionable
All
Age
18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
An unmarried man and woman living
together
69/ 30 76/ 24 73/ 26 72/ 27 45/ 48
Homosexuality 53/ 45 62/ 38 57/ 42 53/ 45 36/ 56
Smoking marijuana 41/ 56 52/ 47 43/ 56 44/ 55 21/ 72
Abortion 41/ 57 52/ 46 35/ 63 40/ 58 36/ 59
The older generation is far more conservative in outlook
40%
39%
37%
32%
26%
29%
30%
21%
15%
13%
9%
57%
60%
61%
64%
69%
69%
69%
78%
83%
84%
90%
Having a child out of wedlock
Pre-marital sex
Gambling
Capital punishment
Stem cell research
Divorce
An unmarried man and woman living together
Sex education in public schools
Interracial marriage
Using contraception
A woman with children working outside the home
Morally acceptable Morally objectionable
Changes on social tolerance Changes on social tolerance Changes on social tolerance Changes on social tolerance
8
Showing All
Please indicate whether each of the following is morally acceptable or
morally objectionable.
89%
89%
85%
79%
77%
60%
58%
56%
57%
52%
45%
10%
11%
14%
18%
22%
37%
38%
41%
41%
47%
53%
Athletes using performance enhancing drugs
Using illegal drugs (other than marijuana)
Underage drinking
Cloning designed to result in the birth of a human
being
Prostitution
Doctor-assisted suicide
Censoring explicit books or media
Smoking marijuana
Abortion
Adults viewing pornography
Homosexuality
Morally acceptable Morally objectionable
Homosexuality is now morally acceptable to a Homosexuality is now morally acceptable to a Homosexuality is now morally acceptable to a Homosexuality is now morally acceptable to a
majority while pornography and drug usage is not majority while pornography and drug usage is not majority while pornography and drug usage is not majority while pornography and drug usage is not
9
Showing All
Please indicate whether each of the following is morally acceptable or
morally objectionable.
Americans also see a strong right to live Americans also see a strong right to live Americans also see a strong right to live Americans also see a strong right to live
10
Government
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 56 60 53 70 62 50 40 57 51 60 52 49 58 64
No 39 37 40 28 35 44 49 38 45 36 44 43 38 32
Don't know 5 2 7 2 3 5 11 5 5 4 4 7 4 4
56%
39%
5%
Yes
No
Don't know
If the government (for example through Medicare) is paying the medical bills, should
someone on life support be required to be kept alive?
Majorities, especially of younger generations, say it is the governments
obligation to keep alive people on life support who wish to be kept alive
Showing All
72% 25%
72% believe all Americans have the right
to use deadly force in defense
11
Showing All
That all
Americans have
the right to use
deadly force to
defend
themselves
That only law
enforcement have
the right to use
deadly force
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region
Gun Owner/
In Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
That all Americans have
the right to use deadly
force to defend
themselves
72 74 69 71 74 71 70 62 85 71 74 71 73 68 89 62
That only law enforcement
have the right to use
deadly force
25 22 27 29 21 25 24 33 14 25 25 22 26 25 10 33
Don't know 4 3 4 0 5 4 5 4 1 3 1 7 1 6 1 4
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Growing percentages oppose any
outright bans on handgun ownership
12
Possession of
handguns
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
Gun Owner/
In Home
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Should be 35 27 42 41 31 32 37 45 25 34 40 37 26 42 16 46
Should not be 64 72 56 58 67 67 62 54 75 64 55 61 74 57 84 52
Don't know 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 5 2 0 1 1 2
38%
41%
36%
35%
51%
55%
62%
64%
11%
4%
2%
1%
Should be Should not be Don't know
Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of
handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?
Showing All
1980; Gallup
1990; Gallup
2000; Gallup
2012
Core American values of freedom are
reaffirmed
13
Which, if any, of these factors do you think contributes to America having stronger
values than other places in the world? Please tell me all that apply.
6%
2%
37%
39%
40%
42%
44%
44%
46%
50%
50%
50%
61%
67%
None of the above
Other
The influence of many religions
Americas influence in the world
Christian heritage
Being a melting pot / immigrant nation
Upward mobility / the ability to pull oneself up by the
Our form of government
Americas ability to change and adapt
The system laid out in our Constitution
Principles of equality
Free enterprise system
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
Showing All
Younger generations differ on
importance of free enterprise system
14
Which, if any, of these factors do you
think contributes to America having
stronger values than other places in
the world? Please tell me all that
apply.
All
Age
18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
Freedom of speech 67 64 64 68 74
Freedom of religion 61 55 56 62 75
Free enterprise system 50 36 47 55 61
Principles of equality 50 46 50 52 55
The system laid out in our Constitution 50 39 46 54 63
The free enterprise system is more important to older generations
Freedom of speech primarily extended to voting
and freedom of information
15
Which of the following do you think should be protected by the freedom of speech?
Please indicate all that apply.
9%
2%
18%
19%
27%
27%
31%
31%
37%
46%
48%
64%
70%
None of the above
Other
Slander (false speech intended to harm another
"Fighting words," or speech intended to incite crime
Flag-burning
Hate speech (religious, racial, sexual orientation, etc)
Release of information pertaining to national security
Viewing pornography
Donating money on political campaigns
Freedom from internet censorship
Commercial speech, such as advertising
Freedom of information
Voting
Showing All
6%
14%
20% 19%
13%
17%
30%
21%
31%
33%
24% 23%
25% 26%
20%
33%
37% 40%
32%
33%
31%
31%
26%
24%
24%
17%
16%
16%
73%
46%
33%
31%
45%
39%
20%
25%
20%
11%
20%
14%
8% 6%
1%
6%
8% 8% 9% 10%
19%
21% 22%
31% 31%
44% 43%
48%
Only a litte A fair amount A great deal None at all
Showing All
Family
When you think of how we learn what "right and wrong" means,
how much of an influence would you say the following sources
had or continue to have on developing your beliefs?
16
The schools
you attended
K through 12
Friends
Higher
education
Books
Religious
teachings
News
media
Television
and movies
Religious
leaders
Political
leaders
Social media
& the internet
Celebrities &
professional
athletes
Political
satirists
Political
commentators
Family and K-12 education have the
greatest influence on our values
2%
2%
1%
2%
3%
17%
31%
41%
None of the above
Other
Political values
Values about beauty and art
Ethnic or cultural values
Religious values
Moral values
Family values
Family and moral values are the most
important in Americans' lives
17
Showing All
Which of the following types of values do you consider to be most
important in your life?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Family values 41 41 42 41 46 37 42 42 35 45 44 41 40 42 47 38
Moral values 31 29 34 30 30 33 32 32 31 32 35 29 31 31 27 34
Religious values 17 17 16 13 13 21 19 12 27 13 10 18 21 14 17 16
Ethnic or cultural values 3 4 3 5 3 3 3 6 2 3 5 5 2 3 2 4
Values about beauty and art 2 2 1 6 1 1 0 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 2 2
Political values 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 2 1 1
Other 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 2
None of the above 2 2 2 2 3 2 0 2 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 1
Don't know 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 1
Obama, Clinton best represent American
values today
18
Whom do you think best represents American values today?
Showing All
Two thirds lament the loss of traditional
family life
19
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Positive 11 11 12 13 10 11 12 13 8 13 9 11 10 15 12 11
Negative 64 62 66 56 64 66 72 60 79 57 59 67 66 61 61 65
No impact 24 25 23 31 26 21 14 27 12 30 31 21 22 23 26 22
Don't know 1 2 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 1 1
The percentage of traditional families (with a married husband, wife, and potentially
children living together) among Americans has declined significantly over the past
several years. Do you think this has a positive, negative, or no particular impact on
American society?
11% 24% 64% 1%
Positive No impact Negative Don't know
Showing All
Majority think it is better for both
members of a household to work
20
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income Parent
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k
35k
75k
75k+ Yes No
Both 67 67 67 78 63 66 58 75 60 65 70 65 68 63 77 58 66 59 72
Only one 31 31 30 21 36 30 37 23 37 32 29 32 29 33 21 38 31 39 25
Don't know 3 2 3 1 2 4 5 2 2 3 1 4 2 4 2 4 3 2 3
Do you think it is better for both members of a household to work in paying jobs, or
is it better when only one spouse works?
67%
31%
3%
Both
Only one
Don't know
Showing All
39% of parents, and half of dads, want to
spend more time with their children
21
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region Income Race
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
<35
K
35k-
75k
75k+ White Black
Hispa
nic
Yes 59 48 69 68 51 63 97 63 55 60 58 64 59 56 64 62 54 60 63 57
No 39 49 30 25 49 36 3 34 45 37 42 35 40 38 34 36 44 39 35 39
Don't know 2 3 1 7 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 0 2 6 1 2 2 1 1 4
IF PARENT: Are you able to spend as much time with your children as you want to?
59% 39% 2%
Yes No Don't know
Showing All; N= 729
51% 45%
Half think children can be successful if they
spend their developmental years in day care
22
Showing All
Children can grow
up to be
successful even if
they spend a
majority of their
developmental
years in day care
or other child-
care services
Children can only
grow up to be
successful if they
spend a majority
of their
developmental
years being cared
for by a parent
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Majority of their
developmental years in day
care or other child-care
services
51 48 53 54 52 50 44 56 46 51 53 56 50 46
Majority of their
developmental years being
cared for by a parent
45 48 42 46 44 45 46 40 51 44 43 40 47 49
Don't know 4 3 5 0 4 5 9 4 3 5 4 4 4 5
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Americans divided by age over
mandatory military service
23
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Race
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W White Black
Hispa
nic
Yes 44 53 36 34 32 47 67 42 43 48 36 43 46 47 41 49 51
No 55 47 62 66 67 52 29 57 57 52 61 56 53 52 58 49 49
Don't know 1 0 2 0 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 0
Should every American have an obligation to serve his or her country through
military service?
44% 55% 1%
Yes No Don't know
Showing All
6 in 10 think every American should
perform mandatory community service
24
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 61 63 59 60 55 63 73 65 59 59 65 64 57 63
No 37 36 38 39 44 36 23 33 39 38 33 36 42 32
Don't know 2 1 3 1 1 2 4 1 2 3 2 0 1 5
Should every American have an obligation to serve his or her country through either
public or community service?
61% 37% 2%
Yes No Don't know
Showing All
22% 76%
76% of parents are focused on their
childrens future success
25
Showing All; N= 729
Making sure my
child is happy
now
Preparing my
child for success
in the future
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Making sure my child is
happy now
22 21 23 29 18 20 65 24 18 24 24 21 23 20
Preparing my child for
success in the future
76 76 75 71 79 75 35 75 78 75 73 79 74 76
Don't know 2 3 2 0 2 4 0 1 4 1 3 0 3 4
IF PARENT: Which of the following is more important to you?
Values, career preparation should be
primary goals of public schools
26
Which of these do you think should be the primary goal of public schools in America?
3%
4%
6%
12%
18%
26%
27%
Other
Helping students live happy lives
Helping students get into the best colleges
Preparing students to be active, engaged citizens
Instilling students with the most academic
knowledge
Preparing students for successful careers
Instilling students with the values of dedication and
hard work
Showing All
82% 15%
8 in 10 think public education is a central
American value
27
Showing All
The public
education system
is a central
American value
that ensures an
opportunity for
success for all
Americans
Public education
is not an
American value,
and is not
necessary to
ensure Americans
have an
opportunity for
success
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
The public education
system is a central
American value
82 81 83 79 80 86 82 86 80 80 84 80 83 82 82 82
Public education is not an
American value
15 15 15 16 17 13 13 13 17 15 16 13 15 16 16 14
Don't know 3 4 2 5 3 1 5 2 2 5 0 7 3 2 1 4
Which of the following is closer to your view?
13%
3%
13%
47%
22%
2%
3%
10%
22%
45%
17%
3%
Don't know
FAIL
D
C
B
A
2012
2002
Almost half give our public schools a
C grade
28
Showing All
2002; Gallup
And what about the public schools in the nation as a whole? What grade
would you give the public schools nationally A, B, C, D, or FAIL?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k
35k-
75k
75k+
A 3 6 2 8 0 3 4 4 4 2 3 3 2 5 5 5 1
B 17 15 19 20 20 15 15 20 14 17 14 21 19 15 22 15 15
C 45 47 42 40 47 47 41 49 44 43 51 41 44 44 40 41 55
D 22 18 25 21 21 24 20 18 24 24 22 18 24 21 24 23 22
FAIL 10 13 8 10 11 10 12 7 13 11 7 12 9 13 6 14 7
Don't know 3 1 4 2 0 2 9 2 1 3 2 4 2 2 3 2 1
6%
3%
10%
34%
37%
10%
2%
11%
13%
30%
33%
11%
Don't know
FAIL
D
C
B
A
2012
2002
B is most common grade for local public
schools
29
Showing All
2002; Gallup
Using the scale of A, B, C, D, or FAIL, what grade would you give the
public schools in your district?
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
<
35k
35k-
75k
75k+
A 11 11 12 10 10 13 13 10 16 8 12 15 14 4 10 11 14
B 33 30 35 33 37 29 32 36 30 32 46 33 28 29 31 28 38
C 30 34 27 32 28 32 28 29 28 33 27 26 33 32 31 32 31
D 13 13 13 13 11 15 12 12 13 15 7 14 13 18 15 15 10
FAIL 11 10 11 11 13 9 9 11 10 10 7 11 10 14 11 13 6
Don't know 2 2 2 1 1 1 5 2 2 1 2 2 1 3 1 2 2
Two-thirds of Americans think U.S.
economy is on the wrong track
30
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I
Right track 32 35 30 30 32 34 31 53 10 32
Wrong track 66 63 69 69 67 65 62 44 89 67
Dont know 2 2 2 0 1 2 7 3 1 2
In general, is the U.S. economy on the right track or is it off on the wrong track?
29%
26%
32%
60%
66%
66%
12%
8%
2%
Right track Wrong track Don't Know
Showing All
2012
2010
2011
Economy and jobs are the most
important issues facing the country
31
What do you think is the most important issue facing this country
today?
2%
9%
1%
1%
2%
2%
2%
2%
3%
3%
4%
5%
6%
6%
52%
Dont know
Other
Lack of opportunity
Taxes
Immigration
War in Afghanistan
Terrorism and national security
Fuel costs
Partisan politics
Education
Big government / bureaucracy
Moral values / family values
Health care
Deficit and government spending
Economy and jobs
Showing All
49% think wealthy Americans had more
opportunities than others
32
In your opinion, which of the following is the primary reason wealthy Americans have
achieved financial success?
49%
39%
9%
They were born into wealthy
families or had more opportunities
than others
They worked harder than most
others to be successful
They are just lucky
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Race Income
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I White Black
Hispa
nic
<
35k
35k

75k
75k+
They were born into wealthy families or
had more opportunities than others
49 50 47 56 53 46 38 62 28 53 46 51 57 54 54 39
They worked harder than most others to
be successful
39 38 41 34 37 40 52 26 61 34 42 32 35 34 37 46
They are just lucky 9 9 9 10 8 11 6 9 8 10 9 15 6 10 7 12
Showing All
The view that whats good for business is good for
America resonates less with younger Americans
33
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I
TOTAL AGREE 43 46 40 35 38 45 61 37 55 41
Strongly agree 16 17 15 12 13 16 30 13 27 12
Somewhat agree 27 29 25 23 25 29 31 24 28 29
Neither agree nor disagree 28 25 30 35 31 25 20 26 24 32
TOTAL DISAGREE 28 29 29 30 31 29 18 37 21 26
Somewhat disagree 16 14 19 16 16 19 11 23 15 12
Strongly disagree 12 15 10 14 15 10 7 14 6 14
Don't know 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the statement: Whats good for
business is good for America?
43% 28% 28% 1%
Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Don't know
Showing All
Half think economic system is unfair to
middle- and working-class Americans
34
15%
20%
14% 14%
27%
13%
16%
49%
57%
34% 34%
43%
41%
41%
34%
22%
51%
52%
29%
46%
40%
Unsure Fair Unfair
Showing All
Do you think the economic system in America has been fair or unfair to
the following groups or individuals, or are you unsure?
You
Wealthy
Americans
Middle-class
Americans
Working-class
Americans
First generation
immigrants
Women
Minorities
70% 28%
But 7 in 10 believe With hard work I can
accomplish anything
35
Showing All
That with hard
work I can
accomplish
anything
No matter how
hard I work
success is more
dependent on
luck and/or
knowing the right
people
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region Income Race
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
<
35k
35k-
75k
75k
+
White Black
Hispa
nic
That with hard
work
70 69 71 67 72 70 71 64 85 66 69 61 75 73 62 72 79 70 68 75
No matter how
hard I work
28 30 27 33 27 27 27 36 13 33 30 37 23 27 37 27 20 29 32 25
Don't know 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 0 0
Which of the following is closer to your view?
17% 79%
Only 17% think Wall Street executives
share fundamental American values
36
Share the same
fundamental
American values
Have a different
set of values
All
Gender Age
Political
Affiliation
Region Income
M F
18-
29
30-
44
45-
64
65+ D R I NE MW S W
<
35k
35k

75k
75k+
Share the same fundamental
American values
17 18 16 23 16 16 13 14 24 16 16 13 18 20 17 15 22
Have a different set of values 79 79 79 75 81 82 78 84 71 81 81 83 78 77 80 82 74
Don't know 4 3 4 2 3 2 9 2 5 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 4
Do you think that executives at large Wall Street banks share the same fundamental
American values as you, or do these managers have a different set of values?
Showing All
71% think Wall Street executives should
have gone to jail
37
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Should have gone to jail 71 72 71 60 71 78 73 76 67 70 73 72 71 71
Not a criminal act 23 23 22 35 24 17 15 19 27 23 23 20 23 24
Don't know 6 5 7 5 5 5 12 5 6 7 4 8 7 6
Do you think that some of the executives at large Wall Street banks, who presided
over significant financial losses leading to a government bailout, should have gone
to jail as a result of the financial crisis, or were their financial losses not a criminal
act?
71%
23%
6%
Should have gone
to jail
Not a criminal act
Don't know
7 in 10 believe elected officials
reflect mainly the values of the wealthy
38
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Middle- and working-class
values are accurately
reflected
24 23 24 28 25 22 19 25 25 23 27 21 22 25
Reflect mainly wealthy values 71 74 69 71 72 74 67 71 66 74 71 74 71 70
Don't know 5 4 6 1 3 5 14 5 8 3 1 5 7 5
Do you believe that the values of middle- and working-class Americans are reflected
by Americas elected officials, or do our elected officials mainly reflect the values of
the wealthy?
24%
71%
5%
Middle and working
class values are
accurately reflected
Reflect mainly
wealthy values
Don't know
Showing All
71%
74%
13%
17%
8%
5%
8%
4%
Too much About the right amount Not enough Don't know
74% think lobbyists have too much power
in American politics
39
Showing All
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k
35k
75k
75k+
Too much 74 79 69 63 70 77 88 73 78 72 72 81 73 71 64 78 78
About the
right
amount
17 14 20 26 21 15 4 18 15 17 19 12 17 21 20 17 15
Not enough 5 5 5 7 6 5 0 5 4 5 6 3 5 5 7 3 5
Don't know 4 2 6 4 4 3 8 4 2 6 3 5 5 3 9 2 2
Do you think that lobbyists have too much power in American politics, about the right
amount of power, or not enough power?
2012
2011
82% 16%
8 in 10 think there is too much money
spent on political campaigns
40
Showing All
There is too much
money concentrated
among a small
number of groups
and individuals
spent on political
campaigns in
America, and strict
limits should be
placed on campaign
spending and
contributions
Because electing our
political leaders is
one of the most
important things we
do as a nation, its
acceptable that a
great deal of money
is spent on political
campaigns, even if
happens to be
concentrated among
a small number of
groups and
individuals
All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
There is too much money 82 82 83 80 83 84 81 83 80 83 86 82 81 82
Because electing our political
leaders
16 17 15 20 16 15 13 16 18 15 13 14 18 16
Don't know 2 1 3 0 1 2 6 1 2 2 0 4 1 3
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Conclusions
The values of freedom, tolerance, free enterprise and equality under the
law have withstood the test of time.
America is a more tolerant place for minorities and finds consensus
across many moral questions.
Republicans and Democrats are moving towards the same views on stem cell research,
sex-education, and contraception, and are slowing closing the gap on still divisive issues
like abortion and homosexuality.
But weak leadership and a mishandled stewardship of our financial
system and economy is threatening the fabric of America.
In a wave of pessimism throughout the last decade, Americans believe
their country is heading in the wrong direction, our values are
weathering, their generation is worse off than their parents generation
and their children will be still worse off.
Americans believe political corruption, too much focus on money and materials things
and the influence of money in politics are weakening our values and standing in the world.
They believe elected officials reflect and represent mainly the values of the wealthy and
think the economic system is unfair to middle- and working-class Americans.
And they believe Wall Street is bringing the country down rather than an engine for
economic growth.
Americans expect more from their government and more from their
economic leaders, and yet still see a way forward based on pulling
themselves up.
41