The ethic of individual responsibility.(Opinion Pulse)

In 2000, George W. Bush said that he wanted to "usher in a responsibility era." The American people appear ready to embrace it. Americans don't blame the fast food, tobacco, cigarette, or the entertainment industries for the choices individuals make. If the country embraces proposals to allow people to invest some of their Social Security taxes in the stock market, more than 80 percent say it should not be up to the government to make up for individuals' losses. Americans think individuals need to take more responsibility for solving the country's problems.

 
Question: Would you...? 
 
Oppose holding the fast food industry 
legally responsible for the diet-related 
health problems of people who eat fast 
food on a regular basis                           89% 
 
No opinion                                         2% 
 
Favor                                              9% 
 
Source. The Gallup Organization, July 2003. 
 
Note: Table made from pie chart. 
 
Question: Which of the following statements 
best describes your view ... ? 
 
Smokers are to blame for health problems 
faced by smokers in this country                  59% 
 
Both equally                                      14% 
 
Tobacco companies are                             26% 
 
Source: Gallup, CNN, USA Today, July 2000. 
 
Note: Table made from pie chart. 
 
Question: Earlier this year, a jury for 
the first time ... Do you ... ? 
 
Disapprove of jury decision that gun 
manufacturers should be held 
financially responsible for shooting 
deaths and other Illegal uses of their 
weapons                                           70% 
 
Approve                                            4% 
 
Don't know                                        25% 
 
Source: CBS Washington Post, July 1999. 
 
Note: ...