A 44%-plurality of Americans side with labor unions in disputes with state or local governments.

A majority of Americans say union agreements don’t give union workers unfair advantages, but rather ensure fair treatment for workers.

In 2010 surveys, 42% of Americans favored same-sex marriage — up from 37% just in 2009 — while fewer than half (48%) opposed gay marriage for the first time in Pew Research Center polling.

Despite concern about mounting federal debt, majorities or pluralities continue to favor increased spending in five of 18 program areas.

Among adult internet users who engaged with a political campaign on Twitter or a social networking site, more supported Republican congressional candidates than Democratic candidates.

Among internet users, 7% of adults friended a candidate or political group on a social networking site or followed them on Twitter.

More than seven-in-ten Republicans say protecting gun rights is more important than controlling gun ownership, while nearly as many Democrats say gun control is more important.