Survey: SHOH33

Question:
Here are some important issues facing America: our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving health care, improving education and reducing the federal budget deficit. Of all the issues I just mentioned, which ONE of these is the most important to you?

Answers: ( respondents)
War on terrorism 26%
Peace in Middle East 9%
Improving the economy 18%
Protecting Social Security 9%
Improving health care 14%
Improving education 10%
Reducing federal deficit 3%
Other Response 5%
Don't Know/Can't Answer/Not Ascertained 6%

Related questions:

• Do you think America basically is headed in the right direction or the wrong direction? (appeared in SHOH42, September 26, 2009)
• On another matter, I'd like to ask some questions about the U.S. economy. First, I'd like to know if you've ever been laid off from a job? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Have you been laid off in the last 12 months? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Has anyone in your family ever been laid off? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Has anyone in your family been laid off in the last 12 months? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• How often do you worry about becoming unemployed: Frequently, sometimes, rarely or never? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Are you currently employed in a part-time job? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Are you currently employed in a full-time job? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• We currently are in an economic recession. What is your best guess on how long it will take for the economy to start growing again? Will it take about six months, a year, two years, three years or more tha three years? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Have you been employed full time at any time during the past five years? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Is anyone else in your house curently employed full time? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Is anyone else in your house currently employed part-time? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Is your household income today about the same, more or less than it was five years ago? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Do you think future generations will have a harder or easier time economically than did your generation? (appeared in SHOH41, March 09, 2009)
• Do you think America basically is headed in the right direction or the wrong directiion? (appeared in SHOH39, May 24, 2008)
• On a diferent topic, I'd like to name some important national issues. Please tell me whether you think they are very important, somewhat important or not important. So when I mention the Iraq war, si that very important, somewhat important or not important? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• How about the quality of education in public schools? Is that very important, somewhat important or not important? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• How about protecting the Social Security program? Is that very important, somewhat important or not important? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• How about the federal deficit? is that very important, somewhat important or not important? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• Now let me ask which party, the Democrats or the Republicans, you think is best able to deal with these issues. So which party is best able to handle the war in Iraq? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• Which party is best for dealing with the quality of education in public schools? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• Which party is best for protecting Social Security? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• Which party is best for dealing with the federal deficit? (appeared in SHOH37, September 22, 2007)
• On a different topic, I'd like you to think back to your high school days. About how many years of math did you take in high school? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• Do you wish you had taken more math? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• How useful has the math you took in high school been in your life? Has it been very useful, somewhat useful or not useful? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• About how many years of science did you take in high school? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• Do you wish you had taken more science? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• How useful has the science you took in high school been in your life? Has it been very useful, somewhat useful, or not at all useful? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• Do you wish you had taken more foreign language? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• How many years of foreign language did you take in high school? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• How useful has the foreign language you took in high school been in your life? Has it been very useful, somewhat useful or not useful? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• Are there any children in your household who have attended a public elementary school in the last five years? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• The federal No Child Left Behind is up for renewal in Congress soon. Would yu say you are very familiar with this law, somewhat familiar or nnot familiar with this law? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• The law requires states to test elementary students to determine if schools do a good job teaching. But critics say the law forces teachers to teach to a particular test. From everything you have heard, do you think the No Child Left Behind Law has been good for public schools or not good for public schools? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• Based on everything you've heard, do you want Congress to renew the No Child Left Behind law, do you want Congrress to make changes in the law or do you want Congress to cancel the law? (appeared in SHOH36, May 19, 2007)
• President Bush has said that the FBI and other federal officials need greater freedom when investigating suspected terrorists. Should federal officials get permission from a judge before investigating, or should they be allowed to go ahead without asking a judge when they are investigating suspected terrorists. (appeared in SHOH35, February 10, 2007)
• How likely do you think it is that the federal government has opened mail or monitored telephone conversations of people. Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely? (appeared in SHOH35, February 10, 2007)
• Do you approve or disapprove of the press filing a lawsuit to force the federal government to release the names of most prisoners held in Gauntanamo? (appeared in SHOH35, February 10, 2007)
• Do you approve or disapprove of the press for disclosing that the CIA operated secret prisons in Eastern Europe? (appeared in SHOH35, February 10, 2007)
• Do you approve or disapprove of the press for disclosing that the CIA has apparently used severe interrogation methods against suspected terrorists? (appeared in SHOH35, February 10, 2007)
• Do you think America is bascially headed in the right directionor the wrong direction? (appeared in SHOH34, November 03, 2006)
• Here are some important issues facing America:our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving health care, improving education and reducing the federal budget deficit. Of all the issues I just mentioned, whoch ONE of these is most important to you? (appeared in SHOH33, July 06, 2006)
• There are also accusations being made following the 9/11 terrorist attack. One of these is: People in the federal government either assisted in the 9/11 attacks or took no action to stop the attacks because they wanted to United States to go to war in the Middle East. (appeared in SHOH33, July 06, 2006)
• Do you think America basically is headed in the right direction or the wrong direction? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• Here are some important issues facing America: our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving education, and reducing the federal budget deficit. Of all thse issues I just mentioned, which ONE of these is the most important to you? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• In general do you approve or disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing with the situation in Iraq? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• Do you think the United States did the right thing or the wrong thing in sending troops into Iraq? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• Should the United States begin pulling its troops out of Iraq as soon as possible or should we stay for at least a few years until the new govenrnment in Iraq is secure? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• As you know, millions of Americans living along the Gulf of Mexico had to evacuate their homes recently because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. How likely do you think it is that you and your family might have to evacuate your home because of a natural disaster or because of a man-made event like terrorism or war? Do you think there is a good chance you might have to evacuate your home some day, a slight chance or no chance you'd have to evacuate? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• When it comes to teaching evolution in public schools, which of these two statements best represents what you believe: One, that evolution is what most scientists believe so it should be taught in public science classes. Or two, that scientists are wrong so evolution should not be taught in public school science? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• President Bush recently said he believes that the idea of intelligent design, that God played some role in the evolution of humans, should be taught in public schools. Do you think Bush was right or wrong to make this suggestion? (appeared in SHOH31, October 21, 2005)
• Here are some important issues facing Americans:our war on terrorism, peace for trhe Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving health care, improving education and reducing the federal debt. Of all the issues I just mentioned, which one of these is the most imporant to you? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing with the situation in Iraq? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Do you think the United States did the right thing or the wrong thing in sending trooops into Iraq? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Give me your best guess on this next question. How many years do you think it will be before most of our trooops are able to leave Iraq? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Do you think President Bush and his military advisers have a clear, well-thought out plan to get our troops out of Iraq, or not? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Should the United States begin pulling its troops out of Iraq as soon as possible, or should we stay for at least a few years until the new government in Iraq is secure? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Do you think the United States is safer from terrorist attack today or less safe because of our miliary action in Iraq? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• I'd like to ask you a few questions about the higher price of gasoline. Do you think the increases in gas prices are affecting you a great deal, some, not much or nnot at all? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Will the higher price of gasoline cause you to change any of your travel plans this year? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Do you think the higher price of gasoline will make you considr buying smaller, more fuel efficient automobiles in the futures, or not? (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Please let me talk to you about public education in the U.S. At times, some goals for public scools have seemed more important than others. I'm going to read some schools goals that have seemed important to many people. PLease tell me how important each of these is to you. Please rate each goal on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is not important and 5 is very important. Schools should provide students with good basic academic skills (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Schools should provide students with problem solving skills (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Schools should prepare students to be good citizens (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Prepare students to be reliable workers and to work well in teams. (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Schools should teach students good health and exercise habits. (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• School should help students develop self-confidence for themselves and others (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Schools should give students experience with the arts and music. (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• Schools should provide noncollege students with vocational skils that will qualify them for good jobs. (appeared in SHOH30, July 19, 2005)
• for your parents, has it been toughter ir is there no difference? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• Here are some important issues facing America: our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security and Reducing the federal budget deficit? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• Despite everyting that has happened, do you think the United States has done a good thing or a bad thing by sending our military to occupy Iraq (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• How carefully would you say you follow news media coverage of America's military occupation of Iraq? Would you say you read and watch news accounts very closely, somewhat closely ot not closely? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• How often would yu say you think about America's miliary occupation of Iraq? You do think of it almost every hour, several times a day, about once a day, several times a week or do you think about our miliary occupation less than once a week? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• Please don't be embarrasssed if you don't know the answer to this question. Give me your best guess: About how many Americans have died in Iraq in the past two years? Is it less than five hundred, about five hundred, about a thousand, about fifteen hundred, about two thouand or more than two thousand? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• I'd like to name several moral issues that affect our coutry. Please tell me whether you feel each is very important, somewhat important or nnot importan as a moral issues for our country. So wehnI say divorce is this very important moral issues for America, somewhat important or not an important moral issue? What about hunger? What about abortion? How about spouse abuse? How about child abuse? How about gambling? How about pornography? How about homosexuality? How abou same sex marriage? How about greed in America? How about America's decision to start a war with Iraq? How about America'w treatment of prisoners of war? How about America's postwar occupatonnof Iraq? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• I'd like to ask you a few questions about financial success Generally, it is easier for Americans todayh to achieve financial sucess than it was for tneir parents, is it tougher, or basically is there no difference? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• How about for your own family? Has it been easier for you to achieve financial success than it was for your parents, has it been tougher, or is there no difference? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• Which of these is the most important reason it's been easier for you. Is it because you are better educated than your parents, you've worked harder, you've made good investments, you've inherited wealth, you've been successful in busiess, you have had good luck, or is there some kother reason (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• which one of these is the most important reason it's been harder for you? Is it because you'e had a job loss or a failed businss in your family, have you or someone in yur family suffered helth problems, have you made baefed investments, had legal troubles, had a divorce or some othr family problems, had bad luck or is there some other reason? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• And how aout the next generation? Do you think it will be easier for the next generation to achieve financial success than it was for you, will it be tougher, or will thee be no diffence? (appeared in SHOH29, February 10, 2005)
• Despite everything that has happened, do you think the United Stats has done a good thing or a bad thing by sending our mlitary to occupy Iraq? (appeared in SHOH28, October 14, 2004)
• Do you think America basically is headed in the right direction or in the wrong direction? (appeared in SHOH28, October 14, 2004)
• Despite everything that has happened, do you think the United States has done a good thing or a bad thing by sending our military to occupy Iraq? (appeared in SHOH27, July 05, 2004)
• Have you lost a job in the last three years? (Asked of those currently employed) (appeared in SHOH27, July 05, 2004)
• Did the next job that you got pay about as much as the job you lost, did it pay more or did it pay less than the job your lost? (appeared in SHOH27, July 05, 2004)
• Have you lost a job in the last three years? (asked of those not currently employed) (appeared in SHOH27, July 05, 2004)
• Were you able to get another job after that? (asked of those not currently emplouyed who lost a job) (appeared in SHOH27, July 05, 2004)
• Did the next job that you got pay about as much as the job you lost, did it pay more or did it pay less than the job your lost? (asked of those not currently employed who lost a job ) (appeared in SHOH27, July 05, 2004)
• Here are some important issues facing America: our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving health care, improving education and reducing the federal budget deficit. Of all the issues I just mentioned, which ONE of these is the most important to you? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• As you know, the United States sent troops into Iraq to force it to disarm its weapons of mass destruction. Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that this was the correct thing to do? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Despite everything that has happened, do you think the United States has done a good thing or a bad thing by sending our military to occupy Iraq? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• I'd like to ask some questions about the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York and Washington two years ago. How often do you think about these attacks: Almost every waking hour; several times a day; at least once a day; or less than once a day? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• How likely do you think it is that you, personally, will be the victim of a terrorist attack: Is it very likely, somewhat likely, or not likely? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Do you think the United States has done enough to fight international terrorism, too much or not enough? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Should the United States send troops to countries other than Iraq and Afghanistan in order to combat terrorism? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• When you went to elementary school, would you say there were many kids of different races in your class or were most of the kids of the same race? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Thinking about the public elementary schools in your community today, would you say they have many kids of different races or are most of the kids of the same race? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for public schools to be racially segregated as all black or all white. Overall, do you think the Supreme Court made the right decision or the wrong decision then? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• If yes to question 14, yhy do you think this was a wrong decision? (List not read) (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Do you think the Supreme Court decision ending racially segregated schools made the quality of public education better in America, made it worse, or did not effect the quality of public education? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Generally speaking, how important is it that students of different races attend classes together. Is it very important, somewhat important, or not important that students of different races attend classes together? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• Please think about the amount of racial diversity of the students in the public schools in your community. Should school officials try to increase the amount of racial diversity in your schools or leave them as they are? (appeared in SHOH26, March 09, 2004)
• As you know, the United States sent troops into Iraq to force it to disarm its weapons of mass destruction. Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that this was the correct thing to do (appeared in SHOH25, November 04, 2003)
• Here are some important issues facing America: our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving health care, improving education and reducing the federal budget deficit. Of all the issues I just mentioned, which ONE of these is the most important to you? (appeared in SHOH25, November 04, 2003)
• Has anyone in your immediate family lost a job in the last three years? (appeared in SHOH25, November 04, 2003)
• Do you have a friend or acquaintance who has lost a job in the last three years? (appeared in SHOH25, November 04, 2003)
• Do you have anyone in your immediate family who is looking for work or likely to be looking for work soon? (appeared in SHOH25, November 04, 2003)
• As you know, the United States sent troops into Iraq to force it to disarm its weapons of mass destruction. Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that this was the correct thing to do? (appeared in SHOH24, August 15, 2003)
• How certain are you that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction immediately before the United States began the war? Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that it had such weapons? (appeared in SHOH24, August 15, 2003)
• Thinking about America's foreign policy, how do you feel about our policy of preventive military attacks on countries that we feel threaten our national security? Do you strongly agree, agree, neither agree not disagree, disagree or strongly disagree with this policy? (appeared in SHOH24, August 15, 2003)
• Here are some important issues facing America: our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving health care, improving education and reducing the federal budget deficit. Of all the issues I just mentioned, which ONE of these is the most important to you? (appeared in SHOH23, May 18, 2003)
• As you know, the United States sent troops into Iraq to force it to disarm its weapons of mass destruction. Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that this was the correct thing to do? (appeared in SHOH23, May 18, 2003)
• If you had to guess, do you think former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is still alive? (appeared in SHOH23, May 18, 2003)
• How quickly do you think the United States will be able to pull most of its troops out of Iraq. Will our armed forces be pulled in a month, three months, six months, a year or longer than a year? (appeared in SHOH23, May 18, 2003)
• How certain are you that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction immediatley before the United States began the war? Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that it had such weapons? (appeared in SHOH23, May 18, 2003)
• I'd like to ask some questions about the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. How often do you think about these attacks: Almost every waking hour; several times a day; at least once a day; or less than once a day? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• How did you first learn of the September 11th attack: from a television broadcast; from a radio broadcast; a member of your family told you; a friend or co-worker told you or from some other source? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• How much has the September 11th attack altered your sense of safety. Would you say you, personally, feel much less safe now, somewhat less safe or has the attack had no effect upon your personal sense of safety. (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• Did the terrorist attacks cause you to make any changes in your personal life? Is there anything you are doing differently since September 11th? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• (IF YES) What are you doing differently since September 11TH? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• How likely to you think it is that you personally will be the victim of a terrorist attack: Is it very likely, somewhat likely, or not likely? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• I'm going to name a several sources of news. Please tell me whether these have been a useful or not a useful source of news about the terrorist attacks. Have daily newspapers been a useful or not a useful source for information about the terrorist attacks? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• How about conversations with family and friends? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• Of all the news sources I just named, which has been your best source of information about the terrorist attacks? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• Did media coverage of the terrorist attacks help you to cope with the tragedy, make you feel worse about it or have no effect on how you felt? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• Should we restrict immigration in the interest of security? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• On a slightly different topic, Thanksgiving is coming up. This has been a challenging year for the United States with economic upheavals and international terrorism. Even so, do you think the United States has much to be grateful for this year? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• Do you think you are more likely to vote or less likely to vote next month as a result of the terrorist attack? (appeared in SHOH19, January 21, 2002)
• Here are a few questions about public education in America. In general, do you think our public elementary, junior and senior high schools are doing a very good job, a good job, a fair job or a poor job in educating our children? (appeared in SHOH18, October 21, 2001)
• Do you have a child currently attending a public elementary or secondary school? (appeared in SHOH18, October 21, 2001)
• (IF YES) Do you think the school your child is attending is doing a very good job, a good job, a fair job or a poor job? (appeared in SHOH18, October 21, 2001)
• Should President Bush and the Congress increase federal funding to public schools, or should funding be left to mostly to state and local government? (appeared in SHOH18, October 21, 2001)
• Should President Bush and the Congress require that each public school show improvement in teaching, or should this be left to local leaders to decide? (appeared in SHOH18, October 21, 2001)
• Should President Bush and the Congress require that schools give achievement tests every year for students in the third through eighth grade, or should this also be left to local leaders to decide? (appeared in SHOH18, October 21, 2001)
• Two U.S. medical volunteers save hundreds of Iraqi children? (appeared in SHOH18, October 21, 2001)
• If the United States sends troops to Iraq to force it to disarm its weapons of mass destruction, would you be absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that our involvement would be correct? (appeared in SHOH22, January 30, 2003)
• How certain are you that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction? Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that it has such weapons? (appeared in SHOH22, January 30, 2003)
• Here are some important issues facing America: our war on terrorism, peace in the Middle East, improving the American economy, protecting Social Security, improving Health Care, improving education and reducing the federal budget deficit. Of all the issues I just mentioned, which one is the most important to you? (appeared in SHOH21, October 28, 2002)
• How likely do you think it is in the next 10 years that some nation will try to attack the United States in an attempt to seize our territory? (appeared in SHOH21, October 28, 2002)
• Are you absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that our involvement in the Persian Gulf War, fought after Iraq invaded and occupied the Middle Eastern nation of Kuwait, was correct? [question as worded during phone survey: "How about the Persian Gulf War fought after Iraq invaded and occupied the Middle Eastern nation of Kuwait?"] (appeared in SHOH21, October 28, 2002)
• What if the United States sends troops to Iraq to force it to disarm its weapons of mass destruction? Would you be absolutely certain, pretty certain or not certain that our involvement is correct? (appeared in SHOH21, October 28, 2002)
• If we send troops to Iraq, do you think this war will go down in American history as a major conflict, or not? (appeared in SHOH21, October 28, 2002)
• Which man do you think is the greater threat to America's safety and security, Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden? (appeared in SHOH21, October 28, 2002)