U.S. adults feel all three branches of government in the U.S. tend to carry out their roles immorally, according to a YouGov survey published November 7.
Most say Congress conducts itself in a very (32%) or somewhat (31%) immoral manner, while a plurality says that the presidency is conducted in a very (33%) or somewhat (17%) immoral way and that the judiciary is conducted in a very (19%) or somewhat (26%) immoral manner.
By comparison, 21% of respondents feel Congress is very (4%) or somewhat (17%) moral in how they conduct their role, while 37% say the judiciary is very (8%) or somewhat (29%) moral and 36% say the presidency is very (15%) or somewhat (21%) moral.
Most feel U.S. politics are more immoral (69%) than moral (11%). Republicans (80%) are more likely than Independents (66%) or Democrats (64%), and white respondents (74%) are more likely than Black (55%) or Hispanic (55%) to say politics is more immoral. Voters ages 65-plus (86%) are more likely than those ages 45-64 (78%), ages 30-44 (60%) and ages 30 and under (45%) to say, “more immoral.”
When asked about moral values in the entire nation, a majority (62%) say they are weak / very weak, compared to 19% who say neither strong nor weak and 10% strong / very strong, with 8% unsure.
Republicans (77%) are more likely than Independents (61%) or Democrats (52%) to say moral values in the U.S. are weak / very weak, while white respondents (67%) are more likely than Hispanic (56%) or Black (45%) respondents, and those ages 65 and older (79%) are more likely than those ages 45-64 (73%), ages 30-44 (53%) and under 30 (37%) to say weak / very weak.
Most (65%) feel the nation’s moral values are weakening, with 13% seeing no change, 9% saying they are strengthening and 14% are not sure.
Republicans (80%) are more likely than Independents (60%) or Democrats (57%), and white respondents (69%) are more likely than Hispanic (57%) or Black (53%) respondents, and those 65 or older (79%) are more likely than those ages 45-64 (76%), ages 30-44 (56%) and under 30 (40%) to say moral values are weakening.
The topline results are available here. The crosstab results are available here.
Managing editor for news and opinion at Good Faith Media.
