[b]The Flood v. John Q. Public[/b] How does the Flood compare to the general American public on social issues? Based largely on data from pewresearch.org, I've compiled a list of stats on how the Flood's answers stack up against the General public in America.* *Yes, I know we aren't all Muricans. I'm Canadian. But they are the largest national group on bnet so anyway. Conclusions: 1. Despite the Flood's reputation as a bunch of opinionated arse- er gentlemen, we're pretty indecisive on most social issues. 2. Although the demographics here are totally out of whack with the US of A, we're almost always spot-on the national averages on most issues. Detailed analysis of each issue below: Demographics [spoiler] (USA) Female: 51% Under age 20: 27.3% (Flood) Female: 3% Under age 20: 69% Right away we know we're in trouble. The Flood is under-represented in the fairer sex, and over-represented in those sexually identifying as military hardware, barnyard animals and lawn ornaments. The population is also heavily skewed to Millennials: more than double the US national average.[/spoiler] What religion [spoiler] (USA) Christian: 78.4% (Incl. Catholic & Protestant) Unaffiliated: 16.1% (Flood) Christian: 26% Unaffiliated: 61% The Flood is much less religious than the national average, perhaps surprising given the number of threads on the subject.[/spoiler] Gay marriage [spoiler] (USA) Favor: 54% Against: 39% (Millennials 67% favor) (Flood) Favor: 64% Against: 19% The Flood is largely in step with the public opinion for its largest age group.[/spoiler] Evolution is a fact [spoiler] (USA) Agree: 65% (Flood) Agree: 70% Again, the Flood proves to be remarkably in tune with public opinion for an insane asylum.[/spoiler] Climate change [spoiler] (USA) Climate change is due to human activity: 50% (Flood) Agree climate change is occurring: 71% Difficult to judge this one since the questions are slightly different. However, it's not unreasonable to infer the Flood is basically in line with Joe Lunchpail on this one.[/spoiler] Abortion should be... [spoiler] (USA) Legal: 54% Illegal: 40% (Flood) Legal: 53% Illegal: 22% Apart from the large percentage of fence sitters, almost eerily similar numbers.[/spoiler] Marijuana legalization [spoiler] (USA) Legal: 52% Illegal: 45% (Flood) Legal: 43% Illegal: 28% Bad news ganja growers. The Flood seems a bit more ambivalent on this one, which seems to indicate much of the support for legalization is coming from ageing hippies and Gen X.[/spoiler] Firearm ownership [spoiler] (USA) Protect gun ownership: 52% Control: 46% (Flood) Protect gun ownership: 62% Control: 18% EDIT: initially read those results wrong. Thanks to Maverick for the correction. The statement was "citizens should not be allowed to own firearms", so those who disagree are in favor of gun ownership. The Flood is slightly more pro-gun than the national average.[/spoiler] Vaccines [spoiler] (USA) Vaccines should be required 68% (Flood) Vaccines are safe & effective: 71% Again, slightly different questions, but it's not too great a leap to say the Flood is basically in agreement with the American public.[/spoiler] Party affiliation [spoiler] (USA) R 24% D 32% Ind 38% (Flood) R 14% D 11% Ind 45% Probably skewed by the number of non-US nationals and number of respondents who are under the legal voting age.[/spoiler] Barak Obama [spoiler] (USA) Approve: 47% Disapprove: 48% (Flood) Like: 26% Dislike: 25% Although the percentage of undecideds is much higher, the Flood is just as conflicted as Americans are on this issue.[/spoiler] Liberal, conservative [spoiler] (USA) Conservative: 38% Moderate: 36% Liberal: 22% (Flood) Conservative: 23% Moderate: 45% Liberal: 32% The Flood is considerably more small-l liberal than the American public. Interestingly, for most of the other questions the Flood is right in line with American opinion, suggesting that political affiliation may not be the most important factor in determining attitudes on social issues.[/spoiler]