Mister Poll: America - Politics, culture, opinions

How old are you?

Less than 16

16-20

21-25

26-35

Over 35

What type of general governance do you believe in?

Large government, lots of taxes and social programs.

Medium government.

Small government, few taxes and social programs.

What services do you think a country should provide to its citizens out of tax money?

In general (but not necessarily every single one), I believe services should be:

A public right, out of public dollars

A private concern, pay for it if you want it

The cost of medical care in America:

Is reasonable for the quality and type of work done.

Is too high, plain and simple.

Is affordable due to insurance companies.

Is made less affordable due to insurance companies.

The education systems in America:

Are top notch

Are mediocre for the amount of wealth we have (hint: pick this one if you have to look up "mediocre" and are over 16)

Should be entirely or mainly publicly funded

Should be entirely or mainly privately funded

I think that a person should be able to end up with more money by donating to charity and then paying less taxes than if they didn't donate to charity and paid more taxes (not your guess at how it works, your opinion on whether it should work this way):

Yes, it's good to reward that behavior

No, they're just avoiding taxes

I strongly believe in the American dream of working hard and making my way in life:

Yes, absolutely

Yes, but not without bending a few rules

No, there is too much competition

No, I don't have the right parents/background

In disaster situations, it's obvious:

That our government is on top of things and working hard to help everyday people.

That our government has our resources stretched pretty thin, but does the best that can be expected to help everyday people.

Isn't very responsive or reasonable.

Is concerned mainly with large companies who want to make lots of money off of it.

Other, please comment.

I feel like I have a lot of say in how my government runs things:

Yes. I can contact several members of my government easily and can make my opinions heard.

Yes, but it takes a lot of effort and it works better when you have a large group behind you.

No, but I feel as if I'm listened to if I have issues or complaints.

No, all I do is vote and then it feels like it's way out of my hands.

Are you kidding me, every few years it's "Pick a king" and hope for the best.

The legal system:

Is fine as is.

Should focus more on re-education and counselling than locking people up.

Should trim a lot of fat and stop taking up my tax dollars.

Should have corporal punishment instead of such long prison sentences for minor violent crimes and lesser crimes.

The news media I generally find is most popular:

Is fair and balanced

Is too liberal biased

Is too conservative biased

I don't know. How would I know whether or not they're telling it through one bias or another?

Are Americans obsessed with being entertained?

Yes, and it's fine. We're rich and powerful enough to sit back and enjoy.

Yes, and it's normal for any culture.

Yes, and it's a bit of a distraction from excelling on a personal level (watching tv instead of studying, for example).

Yes, and it's a bit of a distraction from public life and knowledge of politics and serious issues.

No.

Are Americans overly-stressed, and if yes then why?

No. Not more than any other highly-productive nation.

No. Not more than any other nation on average.

Yes. It's mainly poor diet and lack of exercise.

Yes. With so much competition in the workplace there is too much pressure to perform and deal with difficult situations/people.

Yes. The means in which we get our news and/or entertainment is overly-stimulating.

Yes. It's too easy to try to punish others with lawsuits and prison over what I would consider mistakes or minor infractions of the law.

America is very monochromatic, a term in anthropology essentially meaning that we're uptight about being exactly on time about everything. The results of this:

Allow us to be more productive.

Stress us out.

Alleviate stress when you get the hang of things.

Are good for people who run companies, but not for the employees themselves.

Are good for everyone overall

Do we really need pills for everything? If not, what seems like a frivolous usage of pharmaceuticals:

It's not need, but want. If we want it, we should be able to demand it and the people who supply it deserve the money they get.

I don't think we need as many pills as we are offered, even for real pain and sickness. I think there are better means to treat ourselves.

I think weight loss pill aren't necessary. It just takes diet and exercise.

I think impotence pills aren't necessary. It also just takes diet and exercise. Healthy habits, anyway.

Other, please leave comment.

Does the average American know much about politics? If not, why?

Yes. They know a lot about it.

Yes, they know enough.

No. People feel that their input doesn't matter and have become apathetic.

No. We're spoiled. We don't worry about it because things seem to do well without our input because the country is rich and powerful.

No. Most things are handled by private industry. Some of the biggest concerns being our sources of income and our supply of necessities.

Other. Please leave a comment.

Should there be a government enforced limit on the gap between rich and poor in a country?

Yes. It's ridiculous anywhere to have people who own Islands and people who don't have enough for a decent set of clothes to be in the same country. It seems unjust.

No. People who have more generally deserve more. They worked hard for it one way or another, it's not their fault that some people are poor and can't pick themselves up.

I have a more complex opinion (please comment)