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1. This country has been built on a number
of different principles that have become a part of our core system
of beliefs. Which one is most important to our society as a whole?
| Freedom of the press |
3% |
| Freedom of religion |
19% |
| Freedom of speech |
26% |
| The opportunity for economic advancement |
12% |
| The right to pursue an education |
12% |
| Access to affordable health care |
20% |
| None of the above/Other |
5% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
1% |
2. Which one of those principles do you think
is next most important to society as a whole?
| Freedom of the press |
7% |
| Freedom of religion |
16% |
| Freedom of speech |
19% |
| The opportunity for economic advancement |
14% |
| The right to pursue an education |
23% |
| Access to affordable health care |
17% |
| None of the above/Other |
2% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
<1% |
3. Which one of these same principals
is most important to you and your family in your everyday life?
| Freedom of the press |
3% |
| Freedom of religion |
21% |
| Freedom of speech |
14% |
| The opportunity for economic advancement |
18% |
| The right to pursue an education |
13% |
| Access to affordable health care |
26% |
| None of the above/Other |
2% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
1% |
4. Which one of those principles do you think
is next most important to you and your family in your everyday life?
| Freedom of the press |
3% |
| Freedom of religion |
12% |
| Freedom of speech |
16% |
| The opportunity for economic advancement |
20% |
| The right to pursue an education |
26% |
| Access to affordable health care |
18% |
| None of the above/Other |
3% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
<1% |
5. As you may know, the First Amendment guarantees
a number of different things, including freedom of religion, freedom
of speech, and freedom of the press. Knowing that, which of the
following two statements comes closer to your view?
| Freedom of speech, freedom of the press
and freedom of religion are important. However, in these difficult
times, many people in this country have taken advantage of these
freedoms and have distorted the intent of the Founding Fathers. |
44% |
| The First Amendment spells out the core
principles upon which America was founded. Especially in these
difficult times, it is important that we maintain these freedoms
and continue to uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms that
our Founding Fathers guaranteed. |
50% |
| Neither |
2% |
| Don’t know |
3% |
| Refused |
1% |
6. As an American, which to you is more important?
| Your fundamental freedom as an individual
and the ability to do whatever you want |
30% |
| Your fundamental responsibility to society and the
role you play as a citizen of this country |
60% |
| Both equally |
7% |
| Neither |
1% |
| Don’t know |
1% |
| Refused |
1% |
7. What do you consider to be your
fundamental responsibility as an American citizen?
| Being a good citizen |
21% |
| Upholding the law |
21% |
| Serve and support country |
8% |
| Vote |
7% |
| Morality |
6% |
| Helping children / next generation |
5% |
| Freedom |
5% |
| Being informed |
4% |
| Other / No Answer / Refused |
23% |
Thinking now about the topic of patriotism…
8. One of the definitions of patriotism is
“love of country.” Knowing that, why do you personally
love your country?
| Freedom |
56% |
| Because I'm an American |
15% |
| Best place to live |
10% |
| Opportunities |
8% |
| Diversity |
1% |
| Democracy |
1% |
| Other / No Answer / Refused |
9% |
9. Since September 11th, many people have
noted that there seems to be a renewed sense of patriotism in the
United States. Do you think these feelings of patriotism among the
general population are…
| Not as strong as they were immediately
after September 11th |
40% |
| Just as strong as they were immediately after September
11th |
32% |
| Even stronger than they were immediately after September
11th |
25% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
1% |
Thinking some more about patriotism…
10. Which of the following two statements
comes closer to your view?
| Patriotism means that Americans should
continue to challenge their leaders and speak out about the
important issues facing the country. It is not patriotic to
let our elected officials make decisions that we disagree with
while we remain silent, even while America’s security
is threatened. |
65% |
| Patriotism means that America must support its leaders
and speak with one voice. It is not patriotic to challenge our
elected officials while America’s security is threatened
because we need to show faith in them and our government. |
29% |
| Neither |
3% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
1% |
11. Which of the following statements comes
closer to your view: The U.S. Constitution is…
| A document that should be reinterpreted
every generation or so in light of new social challenges and
political realities |
36% |
| A document that should be interpreted as the Founding
Fathers intended in order to preserve the core principles they
stood for |
59% |
| Neither |
2% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
1% |
12. Recently, an American university decided
to teach the Koran—the Islamic bible—in one of its courses.
As a result, two opinions have emerged. Which opinion do you agree
with more?
| Those who say that it is INAPPROPRIATE to teach American
students the Koran because, even though it may broaden a student’s
world views, those beliefs were related to the terrorist attacks
on America. |
27% |
| Those who say it is APPROPRIATE to teach American
students the Koran because it will broaden a student’s
understanding of world views. |
60% |
| Neither |
8% |
| Don’t know |
4% |
| Refused |
1% |
13. The United States Justice Department recently
announced that it would give the FBI the ability to monitor people’s
activities without first having to show evidence of potential criminal
behavior. This loosening of restrictions has been granted in an
attempt to prevent possible terrorist activity, and would allow
the FBI access to Internet sites, libraries and religious institutions.
Do you agree or disagree with this new policy?
| Strongly agree |
26% |
| Somewhat agree |
27% |
| Neither |
2% |
| Somewhat disagree |
22% |
| Strongly disagree |
21% |
| Don’t know |
2% |
| Refused |
<1% |
14. Which of the following two statements comes
closer to your view:
| We are living in dangerous times. If we
need to relinquish some of our personal freedoms and privacies
to protect our country, we should all be prepared to do that.
Granting law enforcement agencies greater powers to do things
is important for the security of our country. |
49% |
| Even though we are living in dangerous times, Americans
should not be forced to give up personal freedoms. These rights
and freedoms are the foundation of our country, and granting
law enforcement agencies greater powers would be un-American
and wrong. Our principles are more important than the war on
terror. |
41% |
| Neither |
5% |
| Don’t know |
3% |
| Refused |
2% |
Read
about the 2002 Freedom Survey |
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