The trusty old thesaurus suggests there are 52 synonyms for the word shocking ranging from distressing to shameful and everything in-between and in this case everyone of them applies to this latest polling data on the state of our democracy.
Thirty-three percent of Michigan citizens do not believe democracy is the best form of government.
Mind you this survey was not done in some third-world backwater province where just staying alive is the best form of government, but it was right here in our collective neighborhoods from the tip of the U.P. to the border with Toledo.
Pollster Richard Czuba was not only surprised at that finding but even more so when he discovered that 5% of our population favors an authoritarian form of government better known as a dictatorship that thrives on erasing anything that looks like an individual freedom.
Mr. C. concedes that 5% is a small number but with those between the ages of 18 and 29, the figure is 11% which has to be shocking to somebody out there. And it should make you wonder if these folks even know what the term means.
As if that is not enough in this survey for the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce he uncovered 17% who could not even mention any form of government that would suit their fancy.
This would be a good point to note that there are 42 synonyms for ignorance.
So one might be curious enough to ask what the heck is going on?
“We had Republicans blaming the Democrats and the Democrats blaming the Republicans and the Independents blaming both sides for this polarization” and that accounts for the 33% who feel democracy is not getting the job done.
Czuba reflects that Americans have always had their differences over everything from the Vietnam War to the current division on who should be president.
In the past, however, the differences did not end with mere finger-pointing but often resulted in problem-solving by both sides to find a common ground and even if none was found, both sides agreed to disagree but still respected the other person when all was said and done. Those days are but a fond memory.
Citizens long for bi-partisanship and 19% of Michigians are fed up with the Lansing partisan infighting that does not seek common ground and it is shocking that number is not even higher.
And he found one thing else regarding how some seek regress when things don’t go their way in this democracy.
He asked if your candidate for president does not win in a fair election, is violence a justified option for you?
In the total sample the number was 5% but for Republican men it was 13%.
There are 110 synonyms for fear.
