Roy Exum
A poll released by the Public Religion Research Institute in Washington last week had some sizzling findings. Do you know that 43 percent of all Americans believe discrimination against white people is now as big as discrimination against black people? And what about the fact 53 percent of us believe our “way of life” is worse today than it was in the 1950s?
Today you are going to see a lot of numbers because the 2015 American Values Survey is a lot of fun. First, keep in mind it is a cross-section of people in our country who have little else to do but answer some stranger’s questions.
But as you see what the majority of your fellow Americans think, pause long enough to ask yourself about your own views, just don’t answer out loud. Here we go:
According to the poll, our five biggest problems in our country are health care (63 percent), terrorism (62 percent), jobs and unemployment (60 percent), crime (53 percent) and the cost of education (49 percent). Next come economic inequality (48 percent), immigration (46 percent), race relations (39 percent), climate change (34 percent), abortion (34 percent), religious liberty (31 percent) and same-sex marriage (25 percent).
Seven out of 10 of us say America is still in a recession and those polled are split right down the middle on whether our “best days” are in front of us or behind us. And 54 percent of us think putting either someone named Clinton or Bush back in the White House is a bad idea.
The survey is taken every year and for the 2015 edition there were 2,695 randomly selected people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia who were interviewed. The biggest gainers since last year were racial tensions, going from 17 percent to 35 percent, and crime, up 15 points to 53 percent. Illegal immigration, which has become a real talking point in next year’s presidential election went from 28 percent a year ago to 36 percent.
Half of us say there is a great amount of economic inequity, 21 percent say there is a high amount, 20 percent believe there is a moderate amount and 11 percent say it’s about level. A full two-thirds of us believe that we don’t give everyone in these United States an equal chance in life and three-quarters approve raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. Get this: the majority of us (59 percent) want to make it $15.00 an hour.
Americans feel very strongly that all full-time employees should have paid sick days (85 percent) that includes any immediate member of a family, and 82 percent are in favor of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
Has American culture and a way of life gotten worse than it was in the 1950s? If you aren’t 55 or over how would you know? But 53 percent said it is worse compared to 46 percent who say it is better. Black adults believe it is better (60 percent) and so do Hispanics (54 percent) but only 42 percent of whites feel that way, which means 57 percent of whites who the country is worse.
Asked about our immigrants, we are a nation divided just about equally. 47 percent say our country is stronger because of their hard work and skills while 46 percent bemoan we are worse due to the fact they take our jobs, require assisted housing and need health care. Twice as many Democrats say immigrants are good for the nation (63 percent) than Republicans (32 percent) and about half of us are bothered when immigrants can’t speak English.
A majority (56 percent) say the values of Islam are counter to America’s values, which is up from 47 percent in 2011, but we are evenly divided in our personal views of Islam.
What about our confidence? The police (75 percent), the judicial system (62 percent) and organized religion (55 percent) are the leaders but we’re split 50-50 on the government. Only 47 percent now trust news organizations or large business (46 percent). Six in 10 of us do not believe the government looks after their needs and interests of our citizens except, curiously, those over 65 (55 percent).
The poll created an Institutional Mistrust Index and the findings are curious. One third of this sampling of Americans say mistrust of corporations and big business is significant, 29 percent believe it is moderate, 27 percent believe it is low and 9 percent very low.
Our prejudices? Seven in 10 believe Muslims are discriminated against and 68 percent point to gays and lesbians. Blacks face 63 percent discrimination and Hispanics are at 56 percent. The poll found 45 percent believe women are discriminated against. Down the scale come evangelical Christians (30 percent), Jews (30 percent), atheists (27 percent), whites (25 percent) and white males (22 percent).
Discrimination against whites? A full 50 percent of white people feel that way and 60 percent of white working-class people say there is reverse discrimination. Only 29 percent of Hispanics agree and three of every four blacks disagree.
Do minorities have the same opportunities as whites? Only a third of Americans say inequality is very high (10 percent) or high (23 percent). Moderate (21 percent) left about half of all those polled as low (38 percent) or very low (8 percent).
A hefty 81 percent of black Americans feel police killings of blacks are part of a broader problem while two-thirds (65 percent) of whites feel these are only isolated incidents. Only 41 percent of Hispanics believe that and a full 90 percent of blacks believe this.
Almost six in 10 Americans (58 percent) agree blacks and other minorities are treated differently by the justice system, this up from 47 percent in 2013. Blacks (85 percent) and Hispanics (65 percent) feel strongly this is true. Blacks are more likely to get the death penalty (53 percent). Broken down that is blacks (82 percent), Hispanics (59 percent) and (whites 45 percent)
Finally, it is important to remember that statistics are what a lamp post is to a drunk … more for support than lamination. To see the 2015 American Values Survey in far greater detail, go to publicreligion.org. I promise, the detailed version and supplements are fabulous.
royexum@aol.com