ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607050043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A4 EDITION: HOLIDAY
Here's what Virginians had to say about civic life in the Old Dominion, based on a poll commissioned by The Roanoke Times and its sister paper in Norfolk, the Virginian-Pilot.
THE STATE OF THE UNION
How would you rate the state of the union? More than half of Virginians gave a negative review.
Excellent: 2%
Good: 34%
Fair: 47%
Poor: 16%
Don't know: 1%
FACING OUR CHALLENGES
How would you rate the nation's ability to move ahead affectively on the challenges it faces? Most Virginians were in a pessimistic mood.
Excellent: 6%
Good: 32%
Fair: 42%
Poor: 16%
Don't know: 3%
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MOVE AHEAD?
What will it take for society to move forward in addressing the challenges it faces? Here's how many said doing these things would make a "big difference."
People taking more personal responsibility for addressing their concerns: 75%
People working together more on public concerns: 71%
Improving how the schools work: 70%
Improving how the federal government works: 61%
Electing the right people to Congress: 58%
Electing the right President: 51%
Improving how the news media covers public concerns: 51%
Improving how the state government works: 51%
Improving how your local government works: 50%
Getting civic groups more involved in addressing public concerns: 50%
Getting religious groups more involved in addressing public concerns: 34%
The poll surveyed 672 adult Virginians June 27-July 1. Margin of error is 4 percentage points.
Numbers may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB