Reply #49: Let's look at the real numbers for a change, shall we?

[Mairead]

These aren't Zogby numbers, or Gallup, or another of the other poll-a-minit groups. These numbers come from the 1996 edition of the nearly-3000-item General Social Survey run by the world-famous National Opinion Research Center at U/Chicago. These are 'gold standard' numbers.

When asked whether they believe the US has a good socioeconomic system
07% believe we have the best possible system
44% believe it's basically sound but needs some work
37% believe we need major, fundamental changes
08% believe we need to scrap it and start over

70% believe our rulers don't care what we think, want, or need

Note that the number of people who believe we at least need to make major changes is the same number as those who don't bother to vote.

50% believe that our kids will have better lives than ours
23% believe that their lives will be worse

In other news,

64% believe that the rich/poor gap has grown too large
86% believe that business should be prevented from harming the environment
66% believe international bodies should have the power to prevent damage to the environment
68% believe that our right to privacy is seriously or very seriously threatened
66% believe that business should be compelled to give us complete and accurate product information
66% are in favor of socialised housing programs
71% are in favor of socialised medicine
83% are in favor of socialised education
90% are in favor of socialised old-age pensions
66% of lower-income working people are in favor of socialised unemployment benefits

Interesting, huh?