The last election put the fundamentalist right in charge of our government, and some might think the country has also taken a backward step on social issues. But that is just not true. On most social issues the United States is more liberal than it has ever been.
The latest Economist / YouGov Poll included questions on what is morally acceptable in this country. The poll was done between January 23rd and 25th of a random national sample of 2,692 adults, with a margin of error of 2.3 points.
It shows that a significant majority of Americans believe drinking alcohol (81%), smoking marijuana (65%), marrying someone of a different race (83%), gambling (69%), doctor-assisted suicide (54%), gay and lesbian relationships (56%), premarital sex (64%), the death penalty (66%), divorce (73%), and using birth control (88%) are all morally acceptable.
The things deemed morally unacceptable are married people having an affair (90%), cloning of humans (80%), hunting for sport (64%), killing animals for fur (76%), and abortion (56%). Don't take that to mean that Americans want abortions to be illegal though. They find it morally repugnant, but the still want it to be legally available.
A new Quinnipiac University Poll showed that 64% think abortion should be legal in all or most cases and 70% agree with the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision.
America is pretty liberal on social issues. Now we just need our political views to catch up with our social views.
