Survey Shows Americans Not As Polarized As Politicians And Newscasters
 by: Tom Attea

A new survey by Whew! Research reveals that Americans are not as polarized as politicians and newscasters on supposedly divisive issues like abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research.

"Despite talk of 'culture wars' and the high visibility of politicians, newscasters, and activist groups on both sides of the cultural divide, there has been no polarization of the general public into liberal and conservative camps.

Thats what Whew! Research learned in its latest poll of slightly over 2,000 American adults. Even more astonishing to politicos and airwave heads, the survey illustrated a winning willingness of Americans to consider opposing points of view, with two-thirds of the respondents supporting a middle ground in regard to abortion rights. Even more incredible to those who would divide and sell us political candidates or talk shows, a majority of those who advocated such moderation represented such diverse groups as evangelicals, Catholics, Republicans and Democrats.

On five prominent social issues abortion rights, stem cell research, gay marriage, adoption of children by gay couples, and availability of the "morning-after" pill only 12% took the conservative position on all issues and 22 % took the opposite position on all the issues. But imagine, despite how much weve been indoctrinated to believe differently the majority expressed mixed opinions.

And just to add insult to injury to the politicians and other controversialists, the survey showed that 56% of Americans favor stem cell research, even though human embryos will be destroyed, while 32% oppose it.

And just so you know that these refreshing pluralistic findings are here to stay, heres one fact that proves theyre based on an unassailably solid foundation. The poll revealed that 57% of the respondents had heard little or nothing about the stem cell debate. So this inviting openness is based on a mental condition that has proved to be particularly intractable: pure ignorance.

About The Author Tom Attea, humorist and creator of NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway. Critics have called his writing "delightfully funny," "witty," with "great humor and ebullience" and "good, genuine laughs."

This article was posted on September 05, 2006