united states constitution amendment survey | aspen ideas festival - penn schoen berland (psb)

7/28/2019 United States Constitution Amendment Survey | Aspen Ideas Festival - Penn Schoen Berland (PSB)

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NEW YORK WASHINGTON DENVER SEATTLE LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO AUSTIN LONDON HONG KONG BEIJING DUBAI

ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVALDOES THE US CONSTITUTION STILL WORK FOR21ST CENTURY AMERICA?

JULY 9, 2010

PENN, SCHOEN & BERLAND ASSOCIATES, LLC.


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METHODOLOGY

P E NN , S C H OE N & B ER L A N D A S S O CI A T E S, L L C . 1CONFIDENTIAL

Between June 18 and June 22, 2010, PSB conducted 1000 online interviews with GP

Americans.

Between June 30 and July 5, PSB conducted an additional 500 online interviews with GPAmericans to gain insight on supplemental questions.

The following audiences are shown throughout this report:

Gender Male (M)

Female (F)

Region Northeast (NE) Midwest (MW) South (S) West (W)

PoliticalAffiliation Democrat (Strong or weak) (D)

Republican (Strong or weak) (R) Independent (I)

Income Less than $75k annual household income ($75k)

The margin of error is +/-3.1% for the first fielding, +/-4.4 for the re-field.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PENN, SCHOEN & BERLAND ASSOCIATES, LLC. 2

This presentation outlines Americas attitudes towards the following:

1

2

3

4

The U.S. Constitution as a Governing Document

Rights Protected in the U.S. Constitution

The Current System of Government Under the U.S.

Constitution

What should change? And What Should Not Change?


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FOUR CLEAR TRENDS TO WATCH


The American people are solidly behind the basicprinciples of the Constitution

The American people are solidly behind the basicprinciples of the Constitution

But they are divided on its interpretation

But they are divided on its interpretation

Are deeply frustrated with its currentimplementation


And want changes that give the people morepower


1

2

3

4


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FUNDAMENTAL ATTITUDES ABOUT THECONSTITUTION


Americans say that theConstitution is a timelessdocument and should be

changed minimally.

Most say the Constitution is stilleffective today, more than 200

years after it was written, but aresplit as to whether theConstitution should be

interpreted broadly or literally.

Americans say that theConstitution is a timelessdocument and should be

changed minimally.

Most say the Constitution is stilleffective today, more than 200

years after it was written, but aresplit as to whether theConstitution should be

interpreted broadly or literally.


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THE CONSTITUTION IS STILL EFFECTIVE ANDSHOULD BE CHANGED MINIMALLY


32

60

Needssignificantupdates

Is timelessand shouldbe changedminimally

The Constitution

30

54

Is no longer aseffective as it

was when it waswritten

Is stilleffective

today

Although, approximately one-third say the Constitution needs significantupdates and is no longer as effective as it was when it was written.


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AMERICANS ARE OPEN TO BROADINTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

Women and Democrats are more likely to be open to broad interpretationswhile men and Republicans more likely to be strict constructionists.


Which of the following is closest to your view?

The U.S.Constitution

should beinterpreted as

literally as possible

The U.S.

Constitutionshould be more

broadly interpretedto take intoaccount the

changes of modernsociety

42 14 43

Dont know

AllGender Region Political Affiliation Income

M F NE MW S W D R I $75k

The U.S. Constitution should be interpreted asliterally as possible

42 48 37 34 44 45 43 24 69 41 45 36

The U.S. Constitution should be more broadlyinterpreted to take into account the changes ofmodern society

43 40 46 48 39 43 44 65 23 42 40 52

Dont know 14 12 17 19 17 12 13 11 8 17 15 12


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MOST AMERICANS SAY THAT THE SYSTEM OFCHECKS AND BALANCES WORKS WELL

Across all subgroups, a majority of Americans support the system of checks andbalances among the branches of government and say it is effective in preventing anysingle branch from having too much power.



64

19

Checks andbalances works

well (because itprevents any one

branch from having toomuch power )

Checks andbalances doesnot work well

(because it inhibits toomuch the

governments ability toget anything done)


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ONLY ONE QUARTER OF AMERICANS SAY THEPRESS HAS TOO MUCH FREEDOM


Do you think there is too much or too little freedom of the press?

46

28

18 8

The right amount Too much Too little Don't know


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ATTITUDES ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS


Americans say Freedom of speech is themost important right the U.S. Constitution

guarantees.

The majority of Americans would like tosee the Constitution protect more rights notably expanding equality and privacy

rights.

Americans are split as to whether theConstitution protects all citizens equally, and

question extending citizens rights tocorporations, criminals, and terrorists.

The majority of Americans believes thatterrorists should be treated differently than

other criminals.

Rightsfor All

Rightsfor

Some


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AMERICANS SAY FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS THEMOST IMPORTANT RIGHT THE CONSTITUTIONGUARANTEES

Leastimportant

right

Mostimportant

right

0

10

100

Right tobear arms

Freedomof thepress

Right totrial byjury

No cruel or unusualpunishment

Right tovote

Freedomof religion

Freedomof speech

(85)

Freedomof

assembly

Right toplead the

5th

You will now see the rights that are currently protected by the Constitution. Using your mouse, please arrange the individualrights from right to left in terms of which is most important.

No unauthorizedarrests

(55)


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MAJORITY AGREE CONSTITUTION SHOULD PROTECTMORE RIGHTS



10

61 The Constitution shouldprotect more rights

The Constitution shouldprotect fewerrights


13/33

AMERICANS ATTITUDES ON RIGHTS THAT SHOULD BEGUARANTEED


Which of the following rights do you think the U.S. Constitution should guarantee, if any?multiple responses permitted

22

41

43

47

47

49

51

51

55

55

56

5965

68

69

70Right to equality regardless of gender

Right to equality

Right to privacy

Right not to be enslavedRight to own property

Right to an education

Right to equality regardless of sexual orientation

Right to an attorney

Right to security of person

Right not to incriminate yourselfRight to social securities

Right not to be tortured

Right to health care

Right to get married

Right to employment

Right to paid vacation time


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AMERICANS ARE SPLIT OVER WHETHER THECONSTITUTION PROTECTS EVERYONE EQUALLY

Men and Republicans are more likely to say that the Constitution protectseveryone, while women and Democrats are more likely to say that it protectssome more than others.




protects somepeople more than

others


protects everyoneequally

44 47

All

Gender Region Political Affiliation Income


The U.S. Constitution protects everyone equally 47 59 36 35 47 46 59 38 69 43 43 59

The U.S. Constitution protects some people morethan others

44 32 55 54 43 46 34 54 21 52 47 35

Dont know 9 8 9 11 9 9 7 8 10 6 10 5


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AMERICANS DIVIDED OVER CIVIL LIBERTIES VS.NATIONAL SECURITY



Protecting national security ismore important than civil liberties

44%Civil liberties are more importantthan protecting national security.

39%


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MORE THAN HALF SEE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THEPOLICE COULD VIOLATE CIVIL LIBERTIES TO PROTECTNATIONAL SECURITY



There arecircumstances

under which thepolice should beallowed to violatecivil liberties toprotect national

security.

There are NOcircumstances

under which thepolice should beallowed to violatecivil liberties toprotect national

security.

Dont know

56 13 31

All



There are circumstances under which the policeshould be allowed to violate civil liberties in orderto protect national security.

56 59 52 58 62 54 50 54 61 56 54 61

There are no circumstances under which thepolice should be allowed to violate civil liberties inorder to protect national security.

31 32 31 30 21 33 37 35 24 33 31 32

Dont know 13 9 17 12 16 13 13 11 16 11 15 7


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51

41

AMERICANS QUESTION EXTENDING CITIZENS RIGHTSTO CORPORATIONS, CRIMINALS, AND TERRORISTS


How much do you agree with the following statement: ____ should have the same rights as citizens guaranteed by the Constitution.

64 80

3214

Agree

Disagree

Criminals Terrorists

6032

8 YesNoDon't know

Should the judicialsystem treatterrorists

differently thancriminals?

Corporations


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Despite satisfaction with the Constitution, only 25%of Americans are satisfied with the way thegovernment functions today

Nearly 70% of Americans say that the Government

today is functioning WORSE than intended.

Despite satisfaction with the Constitution, only 25%of Americans are satisfied with the way thegovernment functions today

Nearly 70% of Americans say that the Government

today is functioning WORSE than intended.

ATTITUDES ABOUT THE CURRENT SYSTEM OFGOVERNMENT


By 2 to 1, Americans agree that the

system works best when the Executiveand Legislative branches are controlled bydifferent parties, and the majority ofAmericans would like to see morebipartisanship (58%).


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ONLY 25% OF AMERICANS SATISFIED WITH THEWAY GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS TODAY

P E NN , S C H OE N & B ER L A N D A S S O CI A T E S, L L C . 18

How satisfied are you with the way the federal government functions today?

25%25% Satisfied withthe way thefederal

government

functions

71%71%Dissatisfied

with the waythe federalgovernment

functions


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MAJORITY SAY THAT GOVERNMENT TODAY DOES NOTWORK AS WELL AS THE FRAMERS INTENDED


Do you think that the U.S. government today is working better than, worse than, or as well as the framers of theconstitution intended?

10

14

68

8 Better than intended

As well as intended

Worse than intended

Dont know


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BY 2 TO 1, AMERICANS PREFER DIVIDEDGOVERNMENT



The governmentworks best when the

Presidency and

Congress arecontrolled by thesame party its

easier to get thingsdone.

The governmentworks best when the

Presidency and

Congress arecontrolled by

different parties otherwise one groupgets too much power

27 23 50

Dont know

44% of Democrats prefer one-

party controlling both branches

72% of Republicans prefer

different parties


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AMERICANS WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE BI-PARTISANSHIP AND COLLABORATION


Do you think there is too much or too little collaboration between political parties?

11

58

15

17

The right amount

Too li ttle

Too much

Don't know


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MAJORITY SAY ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTSHOULD BE EQUAL


Thinking of the three branches of government, which branch do you feel should have the most power?

54

16 12 8

They should all be equal


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LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IS PERCEIVED TO HAVEBIGGEST IMPACT ON DAILY LIFE

Across all subgroups, a plurality of Americans say that Congress has thebiggest impact on their daily lives, while close to 1 in 5 say they dont know.


Which branch of the government has the largest impact on your daily life?

14

55

1417

Dont know


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WHAT AMERICANS ARE OPEN TO CHANGING

To fix the current governmental system, Americans are open to some changes in

the Constitution, particularly in the judicial branch.


Americans areopen to electing

the Presidentthrough a direct

vote and imposinga mandatoryretirement age, but

do not want tochange citizenship

requirements.

Americans areopen to electing

the Presidentthrough a direct

vote and imposinga mandatoryretirement age, but

do not want tochange citizenship

requirements.

Americans areopen to extendingterm lengths, but

will not changeage requirementsor impose amandatory

retirement age.

Americans areopen to extendingterm lengths, but

will not changeage requirementsor impose amandatory

retirement age.

Americans wouldlike to elect

Supreme CourtJustices directly,

impose a

mandatoryretirement age,

and limit theamount of timethat justices can

serve.

Americans wouldlike to elect

Supreme CourtJustices directly,

impose a

mandatoryretirement age,

and limit theamount of timethat justices can

serve.

Americans areopen to granting

equalrepresentation to

the District of

Columbia and togranting states

with largerpopulations MORErepresentation inthe U.S. Senate.

Americans areopen to granting

equalrepresentation to

the District of

Columbia and togranting states

with largerpopulations MORErepresentation inthe U.S. Senate.

The Executive

Branch

The Legislative

Branch

The Judicial

Branch

State

Representation


26/33

AMERICANS ARE SOMEWHAT OPEN TOCHANGES IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

1438

50 60 6383

71

7451 42 31 26

11 22


Open to Changing Not Open to ChangingNot Open to Changing

Abolish theelectoralcollege*

Impose aretirement age

for thePresident

Allow thePresident to

serve a 3rd non-consecutive

term*

Allow thePresident toserve a 3rd

consecutive

term*

Update to onesix-year term forthe President*

Update the agerequirement forthe President

Update thePresidentscitizenship

requirements

Change thecurrentsystem

Maintainthe current

system

*Re-field data collected between June 30-July 5, 2010


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AMERICANS ARE OPEN TO SOME CHANGESFOR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

2335 45

80 79

6653

4014 16

P E NN , S C H OE N & B ER L A N D A S S O CI A T E S, L L C .26

Open to Changing Not Open to ChangingNot Open to Changing

Impose a retirementage for members of

CongressDo away with the

filibuster*

Extend House termlengths to four

years*

Update agerequirement for

Senators

Update agerequirement formembers of the

House


Maintainthe current

system



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AMERICANS ARE MOST OPEN TO CHANGINGTHE JUDICIAL BRANCH

23 2634

69 6651

PENN, SCHOEN & BERLAND ASSOCIATES, LLC.27

Open to Changing


Maintainthe current

system

Impose a mandatoryretirement age for

justices*

Impose term limits on

justices*

Elect justices rather than

appoint them



29/33

MAJORITY SAYS JUSTICES SHOULD BEELECTED

Men are split on this issue while women strongly favor electing judges overhaving them appointed.


Do you believe that Supreme Court justices should be...?*

All



Elected 51 42 60 44 46 59 50 55 54 45 55 41

Appointed 34 41 27 33 36 32 36 38 32 36 28 50

Dont know 15 17 13 24 18 9 14 7 14 18 17 8

5134

15 ElectedAppointed

Dont know



30/33

AMERICANS ARE OPEN TO MAKING CHANGESIN THE SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATION

3050 56

49 4030


Open to Changing

Allow DC equal

representation inCongress

States with a larger pop.

should have morerepresentation in the U.S.Senate

Give 4 Senate seats to

big states, 3 to medium-sized states and 2 tosmall states


Maintainthe current

system

Not Open toChanging

Not Open toChanging


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AMERICANS SUPPORT CONSTITUTIONALCHANGES BY POPULAR REFERENDA

Democrats are more likely than Republicans to favor utilizing popular referendato amend the Constitution.


Would you favor or oppose being able to change the Constitution by popular referenda, where citizens can propose changesand then the entire country would vote on the issue by popular vote?

All



Total Favor 49 49 50 54 55 46 45 58 47 47 54 40Strongly favor 22 24 21 33 31 22 6 22 22 24 23 22Somewhat favor 27 25 29 21 24 24 39 36 25 23 31 18Total Oppose 41 48 35 35 39 44 45 35 42 48 39 50Somewhat oppose 16 17 15 15 12 22 12 15 12 20 18 12Strongly oppose 25 31 20 20 27 22 33 20 30 28 21 38Dont know 9 2 15 11 6 10 9 7 10 6 8 11

24

22

916

25

Strongly favor

Somewhat favor

Dont know

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

49

41


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ROADMAP OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

Americans are open to making at least a fewchanges to all branches of government


Least willing

to change

Most willingto change

Extend houseterms to fouryears (40%)*

DC should haverepresentation

(49%)

Allow President toserve a 3rd non-

consecutiveterm(42%)*

Mandatoryretirement age for

the President(51%)

Mandatoryretirement age forjustices (69%)*

Abolish theelectoral college

(74%)*

Limit justicesterm in office

(66%)*

Mandatoryretirement age for

the Congress(66%)

Do away with thefilibuster (53%)*

Supreme Court

Justices shouldbe elected (51%)


States with alarger pop.

should have morereps (40%)


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IN SUM, FOUR CLEAR TRENDS TO WATCH


The American people are solidly behind the basicprinciples of the ConstitutionThe American people are solidly behind the basicprinciples of the Constitution

But they are divided on its interpretationBut they are divided on its interpretation





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united states constitution amendment survey | aspen ideas festival - penn schoen berland (psb)

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