Axios Finish Line: A consensus Bill of Rights

Source: Axios · Bias: Center Left

Summary

Watch the White House, Congress and most political campaigns, and it seems clear we're too polarized and too tribal to find common cause.Well, that's a lie.Why it matters: In an earlier column, we showed how algorithms and screens hide a more normal and agreeable American public. This actually extends to many hot political debates: Most people agree on most big topics most of the time. The results are striking — and should give you hope. See if this aligns with your experience.This notional Bill of Rights synthesizes majority views from polling of U.S. adults: 1. Government should have no say in what we say, how we pray, how we protest and whom we love, provided we act legally.79% of Americans say the government has gone too far in restricting the right to free speech. Strikingly, this view is held by 88% of Democrats and 86% of independents, showing it's not just a right-wing grievance. (NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll, October)A landmark poll of 20,338 adults by the Kettering Foundation/Gallup Democracy for All Project, published in November, found 84% believe America's racial, religious and cultural diversity is a strength.2. Government should keep the border tight, and settle the status of those who've been here for years.A record-high 79% of U.S. adults consider immigration good for the country. (Gallup, June)Two-thirds of registered voters say local officials should cooperate with federal immigration authorities on deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. (Harvard CAPS/Harris, January)But support for legal immigration hit an all-time high in the 23 years the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has asked the question (49%). And two-thirds of U.S. adults in the poll, out in October, support a path to citizenship for undocumented workers currently contributing to the economy.3. Government should do its basic job of protecting the nation ... and then do less.Just 17% of Americans now say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right "just about always" (2%) or "most of the time" (15%), Pew Research Center said in December.Flash back seven decades: In 1958, when the National Election Study first asked the question, 73% of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing — 56 points higher than now. 4. Government should stop spending money we don't have, on things we cannot afford.90% of registered voters are concerned that the national debt's effect on inflation is increasing the cost of living, according to a poll out two weeks ago from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing awareness of fiscal threats.5. Government should stop pretending our education system isn't a national embarrassment.U.S. public satisfaction with K-12 education hit a record low last year in the 26 years Gallup has been polling on the question. 6. Government should allow guns but impose sensible restrictions.72% of Americans support requiring a person to obtain a license from a local law enforcement agency before buying a gun, according to polling last year by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. One-third of respondents were gun owners.7. Government should start caring about American workers as much as it cares about the rich and powerful.37% of Americans say "big business" is a bigger threat to the country's future than labor or government, tying the high in Gallup's trend.80% of Americans see wealth inequality as a big problem. (Economist/YouGov Poll, January)8. Government should stop micromanaging business.51% of small businesses say navigating federal regulations is hurting their growth, with 69% reporting they pay more per employee to comply than their large competitors, the MetLife/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index found.Gallup found last year that 62% of Americans say the federal government has too much power. 51% think government "is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses."9. Government should take its duty seriously to remind citizens that they live in a great nation.While trust in D.C. crumbles, 59% of Americans trust their state government and 65% trust their local government. (Gallup, November)10. Government should prohibit elected officials from profiting from their power.The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll surveyed 11 policies President Trump discussed in last month's State of the Union address. The most popular was a stock-trading limitation for members of Congress, with 72% support.Bonus Amendment 11: Government should smartly regulate AI and quickly prep the American workforce.A Vanderbilt Unity Poll released last week found 61% of Republicans and 56% of Democrats nationwide favor regulating AI, with agreement across all age ranges.Across parties, majorities say the government should regulate AI to ensure economic stability (61%) and public safety (68%), a Reuters/Ipsos poll found last year.📬 Let us know what you think: finishline@axios.com.📱 Watch a YouTube with Jim and Mike about our...

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Axios Finish Line: A consensus Bill of Rights
Axios

Axios Finish Line: A consensus Bill of Rights

Center Left

Watch the White House, Congress and most political campaigns, and it seems clear we're too polarized and too tribal to find common cause.Well, that's a lie.Why it matters: In an earlier column, we showed how algorithms and screens hide a more normal and agreeable American public. This actually extends to many hot political debates: Most people agree on most big topics most of the time. The results are striking — and should give you hope. See if this aligns with your experience.This notional Bill of Rights synthesizes majority views from polling of U.S. adults: 1. Government should have no say in what we say, how we pray, how we protest and whom we love, provided we act legally.79% of Americans say the government has gone too far in restricting the right to free speech. Strikingly, this view is held by 88% of Democrats and 86% of independents, showing it's not just a right-wing grievance. (NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll, October)A landmark poll of 20,338 adults by the Kettering Foundation/Gallup Democracy for All Project, published in November, found 84% believe America's racial, religious and cultural diversity is a strength.2. Government should keep the border tight, and settle the status of those who've been here for years.A record-high 79% of U.S. adults consider immigration good for the country. (Gallup, June)Two-thirds of registered voters say local officials should cooperate with federal immigration authorities on deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. (Harvard CAPS/Harris, January)But support for legal immigration hit an all-time high in the 23 years the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has asked the question (49%). And two-thirds of U.S. adults in the poll, out in October, support a path to citizenship for undocumented workers currently contributing to the economy.3. Government should do its basic job of protecting the nation ... and then do less.Just 17% of Americans now say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right "just about always" (2%) or "most of the time" (15%), Pew Research Center said in December.Flash back seven decades: In 1958, when the National Election Study first asked the question, 73% of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing — 56 points higher than now. 4. Government should stop spending money we don't have, on things we cannot afford.90% of registered voters are concerned that the national debt's effect on inflation is increasing the cost of living, according to a poll out two weeks ago from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing awareness of fiscal threats.5. Government should stop pretending our education system isn't a national embarrassment.U.S. public satisfaction with K-12 education hit a record low last year in the 26 years Gallup has been polling on the question. 6. Government should allow guns but impose sensible restrictions.72% of Americans support requiring a person to obtain a license from a local law enforcement agency before buying a gun, according to polling last year by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. One-third of respondents were gun owners.7. Government should start caring about American workers as much as it cares about the rich and powerful.37% of Americans say "big business" is a bigger threat to the country's future than labor or government, tying the high in Gallup's trend.80% of Americans see wealth inequality as a big problem. (Economist/YouGov Poll, January)8. Government should stop micromanaging business.51% of small businesses say navigating federal regulations is hurting their growth, with 69% reporting they pay more per employee to comply than their large competitors, the MetLife/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index found.Gallup found last year that 62% of Americans say the federal government has too much power. 51% think government "is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses."9. Government should take its duty seriously to remind citizens that they live in a great nation.While trust in D.C. crumbles, 59% of Americans trust their state government and 65% trust their local government. (Gallup, November)10. Government should prohibit elected officials from profiting from their power.The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll surveyed 11 policies President Trump discussed in last month's State of the Union address. The most popular was a stock-trading limitation for members of Congress, with 72% support.Bonus Amendment 11: Government should smartly regulate AI and quickly prep the American workforce.A Vanderbilt Unity Poll released last week found 61% of Republicans and 56% of Democrats nationwide favor regulating AI, with agreement across all age ranges.Across parties, majorities say the government should regulate AI to ensure economic stability (61%) and public safety (68%), a Reuters/Ipsos poll found last year.📬 Let us know what you think: finishline@axios.com.📱 Watch a YouTube with Jim and Mike about our...

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