The Reactions From This CNN Panel When Scott Jennings Rattles Off Trump's Wins...
One Dem Senator's Theatrics Over Trump's Air Strikes Against Iran Just Got Brutally...
Justice Kagan's 2022 Remarks About National Injunctions Comes Back to Haunt Her
Why Pramila Jayapal Got Wrecked Over This Post About the Weather
I Wonder How Long America Has
Turning Trash Into Reliable, Affordable Electricity
Did You Catch This Awkward Moment at a WNBA Game This Week?
As Kamala Harris Slips in Support for 2028, Another Top Candidate Also Has...
Cotton Slams ODNI as Bloated Bureaucracy, Pushes Bill to Slash Waste and End...
GOP Lawmaker Demands DOJ Investigate Socialist NYC Candidate Over Terror Ties, Communist L...
The No Kings Farce Rolls On
Trump’s Historic Strike on Iran Proves Peace Through Strength Works
How Low Can Democrats Go?
Is Iran Still Dangerous After Trump Airstrikes? The Answer is a Resounding Yes
France Undermining U.S Strategy in the Middle East
Tipsheet

Survey: Voters Still Believe American Dream Is 'Alive and Well'

Eureka College, the alma mater of President Ronald Reagan, released its first annual “American Opportunity Index,” this week, which measured how much freedom and opportunity Americans feel they have to pursue their dreams.

Advertisement

Based on respondents’ views, American opportunity stands at 66 percent of its full potential. These findings, carried out in partnership with national research and polling firm McLaughlin & Associates, are based on seven metrics: personal access, equality of access, compared to past generations, compared to other nations, attitude about the future, belief in the future of American Opportunity and leadership.          

“As the smallest college to graduate a President of the United States and as a college that provides opportunities for all our students, we believe it is essential to assess the general perspectives of the American people on opportunity,” said Eureka College President, Dr. J. David Arnold. “The results from the 2016 American Opportunity Index are also a litmus test whether index respondents share President Reagan’s optimism about the future—do they, like President Reagan, view America as a ‘shining city on a hill.'”

A random sampling of 1,000 adults were asked seven questions, which were then collectively scored to create the Index. Here are the findings:

Advertisement

-91 percent agree that America gives them the freedoms & opportunities to use their talents and skills to pursue their dreams

-2:1 agree that every American today has the same freedom and opportunity to use their talents and skills to pursue their dreams.

-54 percent agree that they have the same freedoms and opportunities to pursue their dreams today that their parents and grandparents had.

-50 percent agree that future generations will have the same freedoms and opportunities to pursue their dreams compared to today.

-90 percent agree that Americans have greater freedoms and opportunities to pursue their dreams compared to people living in other countries.

-73 percent believe the concept of the overall promise of freedom and opportunity will exist in America’s future.

-57 percent believe that leaders are working to make sure Americans have the freedom and opportunity to use their talents and skills to pursue their dreams.

The Index results varied across sub-groups, however, such as political party affiliation, race and ethnicity, and generations.

Advertisement

“The idea of freedom and opportunity in America is alive and well, but skepticism exists when voters are asked in a more personal fashion,” the report states, noting the lower Index score among younger voters is not surprising given the current economic and societal conditions.

“Will this translate into political disillusionment for younger voters or perhaps motivate them to turnout? The American Opportunity Index will help to answer these questions and gauge these sentiments from year to year and it will be quite instructive to see how the Index is affected one year from now, on the heels of the inauguration of our next President,” it concludes. 

You can take a sample version of the poll here and see how your answers stack up to the other respondents. 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement