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Washington Post/Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University Value Study
Sunday, October 4, 1998 The latest Washington Post/Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University study is based on random telephone interviews with 2,025 adults on July 29-August 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.18 percentage points. 1. Do you think things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track No opinion 8/16/98 38 57 62. Now thinking just about values and moral beliefs, do you think things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track No opinion 8/16/98 21 76 33. Do you think that people and groups that hold values similar to yours are gaining influence in American life in general these days, or do you think that they are losing influence? Gaining Losing
influence influence Neither (vol.) No opinion
8/16/98 35 55 6 4
4. Now I'm going to mention some individuals and groups in society. For each, I want you to tell me whether you think this individual or group generally shares most of your moral and ethical values, some of your moral and ethical values, or hardly any. How about (read items)?
Most of Some of Hardly Shares
your your any none No
values values values (vol.) opin.
a. Bill Clinton 19 40 24 13 3
b. Al Gore 21 44 17 8 10
c. Newt Gingrich 12 38 26 12 12
d. Hillary Clinton 26 39 20 9 6
e. The Democratic Party 21 47 18 8 6
f. The Republican Party 20 47 17 11 6
g. Homosexuals 6 29 33 24 7
h. Blacks or African-Americans 21 62 9 2 6
i. Whites 27 61 5 1 5
j. Immigrants 17 49 19 4 10
k. Members of politically
conservative religious groups
like the Christian Coalition 25 35 21 12 7
l. People on welfare 7 49 31 8 5
m. Rich people 11 50 25 10 4
n. Poor people 27 55 10 3 5
o. Older Americans 55 37 5 1 1
p. Baby Boomers 25 49 16 6 5
q. Young people under the age
of 30 16 52 24 6 2
5. Which of the following do you think will be most important to you in choosing the next president. (Read items)
The candidate's stands on the issues 38 The candidate's political party 4 The candidate's personal morals and ethics, 24 The broad principles and values the candidate campaigns on, OR 15 The candidate's experience 13 All (vol.) 3 None (vol.) 1 No opinion 26. Which of these comes closer to your opinion? (Read items) The president is like the head of any organization: As long as he does a good job running the country, whatever he does in his personal life is not important. 49 The president has a greater responsibility than leaders of other organizations to set an example with his personal life. 48 Neither (vol.) 2 No opinion 17. Now I am going to read a list of things that some people do. For each, thinking about your own values and morals, I'd like you to tell me whether you think it is: always acceptable; Acceptable in some situations but not in others; unacceptable, but should be tolerated by society; or unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
------Acceptable------ ----Unacceptable----- No
NET Always Some sit. NET Tolerated Not opin.
A. Divorce 76 19 57 23 14 9 1
B. Sex before
marriage 55 21 34 43 19 24 2
C. Sex between
two adults of
the same sex 27 13 14 72 18 53 1
D. Marriages
between two
persons of
the same sex 23 13 10 76 15 61 1
E. Marriages
between
blacks and whites 76 52 23 23 11 12 1
F. Drinking alcohol 74 16 57 26 9 17 1
G. Smoking marijuana 32 5 26 67 12 55 1
H. Abortion 51 9 42 48 10 38 1
I. A married
person having
an affair 11 1 10 88 17 72 1
J. Making a racist
remark in a
private
conversation 17 4 13 82 14 68 1
K. Making a sexist
remark in a
private conversation 32 6 26 67 15 52 2
L. Having a child
without
being married 57 16 41 41 23 18 1
8. Now I will read you some statements. Will you tell me for each one whether it is something you personally agree with or disagree with? (Read items) (Get answer, then ask:)Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?
A. The world is always changing and we should adjust our morals and values to those changes. --------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
42 18 25 * 57 18 39 *
B. This country would have many fewer problems if there were more emphasis on traditional family values.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
88 70 18 1 10 6 4 *
C. We should be more tolerant of people who choose to live according to their own moral standards even if we think they are wrong.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
70 30 40 1 27 15 12 1
D. One of the big problems in this country is that we don't give everyone an equal chance.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
65 40 25 1 33 17 16 1
E. If people were treated more equally in this country we would have many fewer problems.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin. 79 55 24 1 19 11 7 1F. We have gone too far in pushing equal rights in this country --------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin. 43 21 23 1 54 25 29 1G. Americans are too tolerant and accepting of behaviors that in the past were considered immoral or wrong --------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
69 42 27 1 29 18 11 1
9. There are always some people whose ideas are considered bad or dangerous by other people. For instance, consider a person who believes that blacks are genetically inferior to whites. If such a person wanted to make a speech in your community claiming that blacks are inferior, should he or she be allowed to speak, or not?
Should Should not No opinion
63 36 1
10. And what about a person who wanted to make a speech in your community in favor of gay and lesbian marriages. Should he or she be allowed to speak, or not?
Should Should not No opinion 8/16/98 68 31 111. I'm going to read you a list of statements. Will you tell me for each one whether it is something you personally agree with or disagree with? (Read items) (Get answer, then ask:)Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat? A. The husband should have the final say in all important financial and family decisions. --------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin. 18 8 10 1 80 20 61 *B. A couple that is unhappy should get divorced even if they have young children. --------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
46 20 25 3 50 25 25 1
C. It may be necessary for mothers to be working because the family needs money, but it would be better if she could stay home and just take care of the house and children.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
79 49 29 2 20 12 7 *
12. Should divorce in this country be easier or harder to obtain than it is now?
Easier Harder Stay as is (vol.) No opinion 8/16/98* 22 62 11 513. Which comes closer to the way you feel (Read items)? Government regulation of big businesses and corporations is necessary to protect the public, OR 53 Government regulation of big businesses and corporations does more harm than good? 40 Neither (vol.) 3 No opinion 414. Which of these views comes closer to your own? The government in Washington should do everything possible to improve the standard of living of all Americans 51 This is not the government's responsibility, each person should take care of themselves. 46 No opinion 315. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best describes how you feel about the way the federal government works. Do you feel enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry? -----------Enth/Satis----------- -----Dissatis./Angry----- No NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Not angry Angry opinion 41 2 39 57 46 11 116. Would you say you favor a smaller federal government with fewer services, or larger government with many services? Smaller government Larger government No
with fewer services with many services opinion
59 35 6
17. Do you personally agree or disagree with the following statement? (Read items) (Get answer, then ask:)Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?
A. When something is run by the government, it is usually inefficient and wasteful.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
64 36 28 1 34 25 9 1
B. Government controls too much of our daily lives
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
60 35 26 1 39 28 10 *
C. There are many goods and services which would not be available to ordinary people without government intervention
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
77 34 43 1 20 13 7 2
18.A. People should take responsibility for their own lives and economic well-being and not expect other people to help. --------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
78 47 31 1 21 14 7 *
B. Most people who don't get ahead should not blame the system, they have only themselves to blame.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
71 36 36 1 27 19 8 *
C. Hard work offers little guarantee of success
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
40 20 20 * 60 21 38 *
D. It is the responsibility of government to reduce the differences in income between people with high incomes and people with low incomes
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
30 13 16 1 67 27 40 2
19. I am going to read two statements. Please tell me which one is closer to your own view. Most poor people are poor because they don't work hard enough or
They are poor because of circumstances beyond their control?
Lack of Both/ No
effort Circumstances Depends (vol.) opinion
21 66 10 2
20. Do you personally agree or disagree with the following statement? (Read items) (Get answer, then ask:)Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?
A. A person should always be concerned about the well-being of others.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
93 67 26 * 6 4 2 *
B. It is best not to get too involved in taking care of other people's needs
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
43 12 31 2 55 30 25 1
C. It is important to me personally to help others who are less fortunate.
--------Agree-------- Neith. ------Disagree------- No
NET Strngly Smwht (vol.) NET Smwht Strngly opin.
92 60 32 1 6 5 2 1
21. Religion has had an increasing impact on the political views of many Americans. Which of the following two statements comes closer to your view: [PROBE ONCE: "If you had to choose..."]
"Organized religious groups of all kinds should stay out of politics" 45 "It is important for organized religious groups to stand up for their beliefs in politics." 52 Neither (vol.) 1 No opinion 122. Which comes closer to your view: [PROBE ONCE: "If you had to choose..." ] "The government should take special steps to protect America's religious heritage" 48 "There should be a high degree of separation between church and state." 47 Neither (vol.) 3 No opinion 223. Which comes closer to your view: [PROBE ONCE: "If you had to choose..."] "The influence of religion on American politics threatens to divide us as a country" 35 "Religious people must take political action in order to protect their rights." 56 Neither (vol.) 6 No opinion 424. Would you rather see religious and spiritual values have greater influence in politics and public life than they do now, less influence, or about the same influence as they do now? Greater Less Same No opinion 8/16/98 38 22 38 225. How important is religion in your everyday life: The most important thing in your life; extremely important, but not the most important thing, very important, somewhat important, or not important at all? The most important thing in your life 19 Extremely important, but not the most important thing 20 Very important 29 Somewhat important 23 Not important at all 8 No opinion *26. Which of these statements comes closest to describing your feelings about the Bible (Read items): Actual Inspired Fables No opinion 8/16/98 36 48 14 127. Aside from weddings and funerals how often do you attend religious services... more than once a week, once a week, once or twice a month, a few times a year, seldom, or never? less than few times 1/week 1/week 1-2/month a year Seldom Never No opin. 17 25 17 19 15 6 *28. About how often do you pray? Would you say several times a day, once a day, several times a week, once a week, less than once a week, or never. Several times a day 36 Once a day 22 Several times a week 16 Once a week 8 Less than 11 Never 7 No Opinion 029. On another subject, do you think people on welfare who are willing to work but can't find a job should be cut off welfare after 5 years or do you think they should continue to receive benefits? Should be Should continue No
cut off receiving benefits opinion
8/16/98 55 41 4
30. Do you support or oppose: Affirmative action programs that give preference to blacks and other minorities?
Support Oppose No opinion 8/16/98 31 65 431. Do you favor or oppose legalized casino gambling in your state? Favor Oppose No opinion 8/16/98 47 48 532. Should sexually explicit material on the Internet be regulated or not? Yes No No opinion 8/16/98 78 20 233. If someone is terminally ill, is in great pain and wants to kill themselves, should it be legal for a doctor to help them commit suicide, or not? Should Should not No opinion 8/16/98 52 44 434. Do you feel that illegal or undocumented immigrants should or should not be eligible to (Read each item)? Should Should not No opinion Receive emergency health care services 73 26 1 Send their children to public schools 50 48 235. Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted of murder? Favor Oppose No opinion 8/16/98 69 27 436. Do you favor or oppose providing parents with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools? Favor Oppose No opinion 8/16/98 49 49 337. (Of those who favor school vouchers) Would you still favor school vouchers if it meant there would be less money for public schools in your area? Yes, still favor No No opinion 8/16/98 55 43 238. (Of those who oppose school vouchers) Would you still oppose school vouchers if you were told that without vouchers low-income children would have less chance to attend better schools? Yes, still oppose No No opinion 8/16/98 52 45 439. Considering everything, would you or your family be better off or worse off if parents could get tax-funded vouchers, or wouldn't it make a difference. Better Worse Wouldn't make No
off off a difference opinion
8/16/98 20 4 71 5
40. Do you favor or oppose allowing public schools to start each day with a prayer?
Favor Oppose No opinion 8/16/98 71 27 241. Do you think government should play a role in stopping teenagers from smoking, or do you think this is not an appropriate role for government? Should Not an No
play a role appropriate role opinion
8/16/98 51 48 1
42. Which position comes closer to your own view about government regulation of HMOs and managed-care health plans? (Read items)
The government needs to protect consumers from being treated unfairly and not getting the care they should from HMOs and managed-care plans. 65 43. There is a proposal that would allow people to invest some of their Social Security payroll contributions in the stock market. This change means that when people retire, their benefits could either be higher or lower than expected, depending on the stock market's performance. Would you favor or oppose this proposal to allow people to invest some of their Social Security payroll contributions in the stock market? Favor Oppose No opinion 8/16/98 58 38 344. On another subject, as you may know, Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr has been investigating charges that President Clinton had an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, lied about it under oath and encouraged her to lie about it under oath. Clinton has denied these charges. Just your best guess, do you think Clinton did or did not have an affair with Lewinsky? Did have affair Did not have affair No opinion 8/16/98 70 17 1345. Do you think the question of whether or not Clinton had an affair is a very important issue, a fairly important issue, not too important, or not an important issue at all? ------Important------ -------Not important-------- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
37 20 17 62 18 44 1
46. Do you think the question of whether or not Clinton lied under oath or encouraged Lewinsky to lie under oath is a very important issue, a fairly important issue, not too important, or not an important issue at all?
------Important------ -------Not important-------- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
74 56 18 24 10 15 1
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