Politics and morality

The Center for American Progress conducted a poll to find out what Americans think about morality and politics (as opposed to what we are told to believe by our elected representatives in Congress). The findings were interesting:

• Asked to name the most serious moral crisis in America today, 28% of Americans cite "kids not raised with the right values"; followed by 22% saying "corruption in government/business"; 17% saying "greed and materialism" or "people too focused on themselves"; and only 3% citing "abortion and homosexuality."



• On addressing poverty: 68% of voters strongly agree that "government should uphold the basic decency and dignity of all and take greater steps to help the poor and disadvantaged in America" (89% total agree).



• On religious freedom: 67% of voters believe that religious freedom is a "critical" part of their image of America compared to less than three in 10 who believe Judeo-Christian faith specifically is critical to this image.

What's interesting is how these are also the values of most "liberal" and "progressive" Americans. Well sure, you say. The poll was conducted by a left-wing outfit. Yes, but the survey participants voted 46% for Bush and 36% for Kerry.

It's also interesting that there is near universal agreement among those polled that "government should uphold the basic decency and dignity of all and take greater steps to help the poor and disadvantaged in America," and only 20% approve of "leaders using the political system to turn religious beliefs into action." The full report is here.