Reclaiming the Common Good
The liberal Center for American Progress has released a new report aimed at shifting the "values" debate onto turf more hospitable to Democratic candidates.
Among the key findings:
• 71% of voters strongly agree that “Americans are becoming too materialistic,” including 71% of Democrats, 70% of Independents, and 72% of Republicans (92% total agree).
• 68% of voters strongly agree that the “government should be committed to the common
good and put the public’s interest above the privileges of the few” (85% total agree).
• 73% of Democrats, 62% of Independents, and 67% of Republicans strongly agree with a common good focus for government. A similar percentage of voters (68%) strongly
agrees 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).
And:
In terms of the role that religious and moral teachings should play in public debate about key issues, American voters focus most on “poverty and hunger” (75% leading or major role); “homelessness” (61% leading or major role); “government corruption” (58% leading or major role); “terrorism” (56% leading or major role); “the environment” (54% leading or major role); and “health care” (52% leading or major role). In a lower tier of issues, 44% of voters believe that religious and moral values should play a leading role in public discussion of abortion and only 37% believe similarly about gay marriage.
The accompanying slideshow is here.
