Incoherent Know-Nothings

Cards Against Humanity’s Pulse of the Nation poll from 2017 to 2018 has some pretty interesting, disturbing, and rather unsurprising findings about the American public:

Conflicting Views

39.1% of Democrats think that it’s wrong to negatively stereotype people based on their place of birth, but also think Southerners are more racist.

65.2% of Republicans think that people are too easily offended, yet find Black Lives Matter offensive.

64.6% of Democrats think that a woman has the right to do what she wants with her body, except when it comes to selling her kidney. Nearly half also believe a woman has the right to do whatever she wants with her body, except sell it for sex.

57.9% of Republicans think that people should be free to express their political opinions in the workplace, but athletes shouldn’t be allowed to make political protests at games.

Over half of Democrats think that men and women “are equal in their talents and abilities,” except when it comes to multitasking and empathy.

About 1/3 of Republicans think we should be more suspicious of foreigners, yet believe Putin when he says he didn’t interfere in the 2016 election. (You’re twice as likely to do this if you support Trump.)

Over half of Republicans believe nobody deserves a handout and that the government should do more to help small, working-class towns in America’s heartland.

About 1/3 of Democrats say that they trust the scientific consensus, just not when it comes to GMOs.

Political Ignorance

39% of Americans either think low GDP is better than high GDP or have no clue altogether.

The majority of Americans can’t name the three branches of government.

Only 12.7% of Americans can name a living, breathing economist. 55.9% can’t name a living economist, but think their opinions about economic policy are well-informed.

The richest 1% of Americans own 39% of the country’s wealth. Everyone overestimates the amount. If you’re a Democrat, you think it is 75 percent. If you’re a Republican, you think it’s 50 percent. Perhaps surprisingly, the more educated you are, the more likely you are to overestimate the amount.

Nearly half of Americans do not believe the U.S. has interfered with foreign democratic elections. You’re less likely to believe it if you’re Republican.

Other Stuff

Those who think “sex without love” is okay are far more likely to be pro-choice.

If you rely on “common sense” instead of empirical evidence, you’re likely older, less educated, and lack a Twitter account. You also are more likely support military action against Russia for their 2016 election interference. 

29% of Trump supporters would still stick with him in 2020 even if he murdered journalist for spreading lies.