Obviously, all Americans are not in agreement on any one value or system of values; however, various surveys and studies show that a vast number of us share the values listed below, and even those of us who strongly reject or do not act on these values recognize their importance to Americans in general. (The list below is a boiled-down version of a 50-item list compiled by W.C. Minnick.)
Americans (stereotypically) admire, prize, respect, feel, or believe...
..."a regular guy"
...sympathy for the poor and unfortunate
...common sense and efficiency
...measure success by economic means
...believe in God
...the individual above the state
...prefer traditional methods
...value the family
...think the "American way" is the best
...honesty, sincerity, optimism, determination, straight-forwardness, etc.
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LIBERAL (Democratic)
Traditionally, the Party includes:
union members
educators
environmentalists
minorities
"Doves"
the highly educated
women
Traditionally tend to emphasize:
public education
environmental protection
minority rights
reducing gap between rich and poor
individuality, alternative lifestyles, etc.
general health care
pro-choice; favor stem-cell research
favor gun control
CONSERVATIVE (Republican)
Traditionally, the Party includes:
business owners
religious fundamentalists
the very wealthy
poor whites
"Hawks"
single-issue voters
(esp. for pro-life and gun-owner rights)
Traditionally tend to emphasize:
private education (vouchers...)
crime protection and criminal punishment (capital punishment)
lower taxes and government debt reduction
financial motivation
business deregulation
national security
anti-abortion; oppose stem-cell research
oppose gun control