Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Political Issues


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    Military Action A Higher Priority Than Homeland Defense

    Introduction and Summary The public’s strong commitment to the use of military force in retaliation for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is predicated at least in part on the idea that a good offense represents the best defense. By 44%-33%, Americans think that taking military action abroad to destroy global terrorist networks is more important […]

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    American Psyche Reeling From Terror Attacks

    Introduction and Summary Americans are standing tall at a time of crisis — they are united in their approval of the nation’s leaders, paying rapt attention to news, and say they are willing to suffer thousands of military casualties in a protracted conflict to retaliate for last week’s terrorist attacks. But at the same time […]

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    Economy, Education, Social Security Dominate Public’s Policy Agenda

    Introduction and Summary As President Bush and Congress return to work, a trio of long-standing concerns dominate the public’s list of policy priorities. The economy is the public’s leading priority, cited by eight-in-ten Americans, followed closely by education (76%) and Social Security (74%). Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill hold a 44%-37% edge over the president […]

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    Reinventing Regulation: Religious social service providers and others react to the White House Office on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives’ report

    Washington, D.C. Discussants: Gary Bass, OMB Watch Rev. Stephen Burger, International Union of Gospel Missions Bill Faith, Ohio Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Richard Foltin, American Jewish Committee Richard G. Overmoyer, Jr., Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Darren Walker, Abyssinian Development Corporation Moderated by: Melissa Rogers, Executive Director of the Pew Forum on Religion & […]

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    Good News From the Supreme Court? Perspectives on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Good News Club v. Milford Central School

    Washington, D.C. Discussants: Thomas Marcelle, Attorney for the Petitioners, Good News Club Elliot Mincberg, Vice President, People for the American Way Foundation Steven Sheinberg, Assistant Director, Legal Affairs, Anti-Defamation League K. Hollyn Hollman, General Counsel, Baptist Joint Committee Moderated by: Melissa Rogers, Executive Director, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life MS. MELISSA ROGERS: Good […]

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    Modest Support for Missile Defense, No Panic on China

    Introduction and Summary As George W. Bush makes his first overseas trip as president, he has the backing of the American public on a pair of high-profile security and foreign policy issues. The public favors his call for developing a national missile defense system and feels he is taking the right tack in handling relations […]

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    Religious Reflections on the Death Penalty

    Washington, D.C. Discussants: John Carr, Secretary, Department of Social Development and World Peace, US Catholic Conference Nathan Diament, Director of Public Policy, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Barrett Duke, Vice President of Research, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention Rev. Joseph Lowery, Chairman, Black Leadership Forum and Co-founder, President Emeritus, Southern […]

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    Charity Tax Credits: Federal Policy and Three Leading States

    Washington, D.C. Charity Tax Credits: Federal Policy and Three Leading States, paper presented by Margy Waller, Former White House Senior Advisor for Welfare and Working Families Discussants: Mark Anderson, Arizona State Representative (R) Robert Boisture, Counsel, Independent Sector, and Member, Caplin & Drysdale Sharon Daly, Vice President for Social Policy, Catholic Charities USA Michael J. […]