In results of a poll released today, Gallup.com reported that a majority of Americans now say the government should not favor any particular set of values in society. This is the first time in the history of asking the question that Americans haven’t favored the government’s promotion of traditional values. In all, 52 percent of Americans said the government should not promote any set of values, while 44 percent believe it should promote traditional values.
Gallup has asked the question about the government’s role in morality since 1993, and the number favoring government promotion of traditional values peaked at 59 percent in 1996 and in 2001. The Gallup report suggested that these numbers coincide with “a clear preference of Americans for a reduced government role in solving the nation’s problems.”
