Rasmussen Reports

« If it's in the news it's in our polls. «

« Rasmussen produces some of the most accurate and reliable polls in the country today. »

-Larry Sabato, University of Virginia

« Rasmussen, an organization with fast zeitgeist reflexes.... «

-The Politico

« If it's in the news it's in our polls. «

« The best place to look for polls that are spot on is RasmussenReports.com «

-Michael Barone, The Washington Examiner`

« If you really want to know what people in America think, you can't find a better place to look than Rasmussen Reports «

-Susan Estrich

« If you have a choice between Rasmussen and, say, the prestigious N.Y.Times, go with Rasmussen! »

-Mickey Kaus, Slate Magazine
Premium MembershipLoginSignup
Search
Sign up for free daily updates
Advertisement
Advertisement

62% Think American Society is Fair and Decent
Email a Friend Email to a Friend
Advertisement

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 62% of likely voters believe American society is fair and decent. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of voters disagree and find it unfair and discriminatory.

These results are similar to those found last month, when 60% felt society was fair and decent.

As in last month’s survey, there were significant differences in opinion between different partisan and demographic groups. While 84% of Republicans said they felt society is fair and decent, only 49% of Democrats agreed. On the other side, only 9% of Republicans see society as unfair and discriminatory and 41% of democrats hold that view.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of white voters think society is fair and decent, but 64% of black voters take the opposite view.

There is also a significant ideological divide on this question. The overwhelming majority of conservatives (70%) view society as fair and decent while only 20% take the opposite view. Liberals are more evenly split on the matter—53% of them believe think society is fair and decent while 37% say it is unfair and discriminatory.

The Rasmussen Reports tracking survey measures underlying attitudes on a variety of benchmark topics approximately once a month. Since Election 2006, the overall percentage of voters who view American society as fair and decent has ranged from a low of 54% to a high of 61% (see tracking history).

The survey also found that 43% of voters feel America’s best days have come and gone, while 38% say they are still to come.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of voters in the same survey feel that people who move to America from other countries should adopt the culture, while only 10% think they should maintain their home culture.

The majority of voters in the survey are in favor of less government involvement, with 62% preferring fewer services with lower taxes. Less than a quarter (24%) chose the opposite view and feel that more government services with higher taxes is more beneficial.

In terms of foreign relations, a quarter of Americans (25%) think the United States should do what its allies want, while the plurality (43%) feel our allies should do what the U.S. wants. Another quarter agree with neither choice.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

The Rasmussen Reports Election Edge™ Premium Service offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage available anywhere.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.

Survey of 800 Likely Voters
January 9-10, 2008

American Society is....

Fair and Decent

62%

Unfair and Discriminatory

28%

Not sure

10%

America's Best Days....

Future

38%

Past

43%

Not sure

19%

TOP STORIES

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

Voters’ Opinions of Congressional Leaders Remain Steady

Democrats & Unaffiliateds More Likely To Be Unemployed Than Republicans

To Create Jobs, Voters Say Cut Taxes and Stop Spending

Brown Ensnared in His Own Tapegate Trap By Debra J. Saunders

Support for Congressional Health Care Proposal Up to 47%, 49% Opposed

Republicans Maintain Steady Lead on Generic Ballot

42% Rate Geithner’s Performance As Poor

47% Trust Private Sector More Than Government To Keep Health Care Costs Down, Quality Up

Voters Continue to See Deficit Reduction as Top Priority

Advertisement