christian grantham
Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD.
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March 08, 2005

I'm certainly not a poll expert, but in a recent survey posted on Gallup's website (subscription only) about the "moral and ethical climate" in America, it seemed like to me Gallup failed to define "morality," and barely mentioned, much less measured or scored, the issues people cited in their definition of "moral issues."

What springs to mind when Gallup asks Americans to assess the nation's "moral and ethical climate"? In follow-up interviews with some of the poll's respondents, the answers are diverse. Sexual and violent content in television and movies, prejudice, the economy, environmental waste, plagiarism in schools, corporate scandals, gay rights, and divorce are just a few of the topics that people associate with the moral and ethical climate in America.
[Morality Meter: Americans Dissatisfied With Ethical Climate - Gallup - 03-08-05]

Despite the following chart in the Gallup data showing Americans have a higher level of statisfaction in the nation's moral and ethical climate, some media highlight how "troubled" Americans are. When I read polls, I tend to pay attention first to the trends and then the results.