A HOUSE DIVIDED POST-FORUM QUESTIONNAIRE Survey

1.Do you favor or oppose each of these actions?

Strongly Favor

Somewhat Favor

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Not Sure

Require all television networks to provide opposing views on controversial issues EVEN IF this reduces complex debates to “pro” and “con” voices and means that important voices may never be heard.

Strongly Favor

Somewhat Favor

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Not Sure

Prevent political gerrymandering by establishing nonpartisan commissions to design sensibly shaped, population-based congresional districts EVEN IF that means some groups, such as minorities, lose power.

Strongly Favor

Somewhat Favor

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Not Sure

Give more authority to states and cities to regulate such matters as education, transportation, and energy use to meet particular local needs EVEN IF that results in a patchwork of laws that slows the nation’s progress on equal education and environmental protection.

Strongly Favor

Somewhat Favor

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Not Sure

Make it much easier for many people to vote EVEN IF this also removes barriers that prevent voter fraud and manipulation.

Strongly Favor

Somewhat Favor

Somewhat Oppose

Strongly Oppose

Not Sure

2.Which statement comes closer to your view? If you’re not
sure, please let us know.

Unfortunately, attempts to curtail hate speech online and in the media pose too great a threat to free speech. It’s not worth the risk.

Allowing private companies like Facebook and Twitter to enforce some minimal standards of decency online doesn’t threaten free speech. In fact, these companies have a responsibility to do it.

Not sure

3.Which statement comes closer to your view? If you’re not
sure, please let us know.

Another round of election and lobbying reform isn’t going to work. People will always find a way around the rules.

Over time, we have made elections and government less corrupt and fairer. Reform won’t solve everything, but it can help.

Not sure

4.Which statement comes closer to your view? If you’re not
sure, please let us know.

Too many major decisions about education, energy, and health care are made in DC, where legislators there don’t understand what local communities need.

Americans across the country deserve minimum standards of protection in these key areas. Local decisions aren’t always better.

Not sure

5.Which statement comes closer to your view? If you’re not
sure, please let us know.

The problem with our current politics is that too many people in politics have lost their sense of honor, decency, and fair play. Changing the rules won’t make much of a difference.

We need laws that set and enforce better standards of honor, decency, and fair play. Without them, the least honorable people will thrive while decent people lose out.

Not sure

6.How much disagreement was there about this issue in your forum?

A lot of disagreement

Some disagreement

Hardly any disagreement at all

Why did you answer the way you did?

7.Did you talk about aspects of the issue you hadn’t considered before?

Yes

No

If so, please explain.

8.Were there ideas or proposals that you tended to favor coming into the forum that you now have second thoughts about?

Yes

No

If so, please explain.

9.What could citizens, working together, do in their own communities to address this problem?

11.Gender:

Male

Female

Other (please specify)

12.Age:

14.Where do you live?

Rural

Small Town

Large City

Suburban

15.What is your zip code?

16.What state do you live in?

17.Did you attend this forum in person or online?

18.What issue would you like to see covered in a future forum?

A HOUSE DIVIDED POST-FORUM QUESTIONNAIRE

What Would We Have to Give Up to Get the Political System We Want?