Editor’s note: This piece, originally posted on Dec 11, 2015, is being reposted in light of the shootings today in Alexandria, Va.
… In 2010, I fielded two national surveys that asked respondents their opinions about the following statements:
- “When politicians are damaging the country, citizens should send threats to scare them straight.”
- “The worst politicians should get a brick through the window to make them stop hurting the country.”
- “Sometimes the only way to stop bad government is with physical force.”
- “Some of the problems citizens have with government could be fixed with a few well-aimed bullets.”
- “Citizens upset by government should never use violence to express their feelings.”
Although most people opposed violence, a significant minority (ranging from 5-14 percent) agreed with each violent option, and 10-18 percent expressed indifference about violence in politics. This implies that millions of ordinary Americans endorse the general idea of violence in politics. CONT.
Nathan Kalmoe, Monkey Cage