Psst! A majority of Americans sees too much political correctness; even more say it's a problem

But be careful what you say about it, because someone somewhere might be offended.

Here's a statistical finding that may confirm what many of us had been thinking in recent years without really realizing it:

A majority of Americans, who are globally famous for candidly saying what they think, now say they believe that their country has become too politically correct.

A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds that nearly six in 10 respondents (57%) say they think we've gotten too hung up on too many sensibilities. Can we even talk about this with the other 43%?

The subject of political correctness burst into the news again Wednesday night when NPR fired commentator Juan Williams for saying he gets nervous on planes when he sees Muslims on planes "identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims." And before that CNN fired Rick Sanchez for his comments.

But here's an interesting result from the Rasmussen research: Nearly three out of four Americans say they think that political correctness is a problem.

So, wait a minute: More people think PC is a problem than think there's too much of it. So, how then is it a problem?

Of course, we respect the right of some people to hold nonsensical views like that. Such thoughtful minorities are an important part of the diverse American identity.

Rasmussen also finds that 13% say they disagree with the 74% and think PC is not a problem. And another 13% are wishy-washy can't-decides who should probably move to Canada.

There is, of course, a serious application to PC-ness in a society that prides itself on freedom of speech, if not civility. It is, first of all, an ill-defined social regimen. One person's statement of fact is another's outrageously incorrect assertion. Witness last week Fox News talker Bill O'Reilly plugging a new book on "The View" and telling the women, "Muslims killed us on 9/11."

Factually accurate but politically incorrect to the ears of Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg, who walked off with the impression he cast aspersions on all Muslims. When O'Reilly said he meant "extremist Muslims," they returned.

And a poll last year found that 63% of respondents said they believed that political correctness prevented military authorities from confronting a Muslim, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, before he killed 13 people and wounded many others at Ft. Hood, Texas.

But here's a final chilling factoid from the new Rasmussen survey: Eleven percent of the respondents adopt the Goldilocks approach, that is, the balance of political correctness and incorrectness in America today is just about right. Goody-goodies all of them in clean white socks.

However, nearly one in four of our countrymen (23%) think the country isn't sufficiently politically correct. We need to be even more careful about what we say to each other, lest someone gasp.

And, strangely enough, every one of those humorless prudes lives in Massachusetts.

Just kidding.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Speaking of correct rainbows, click here and join nearly 54,000 global readers who follow The Ticket with Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or follow us @latimestot. Our Facebook Like page is over here. We're also available here on Kindle now.

Photo credit: University of Arizona

Comments

[Rockyspoon]

PC has probably gotten some people killed, whereas lack of PC doesn't kill anybody I can think of. So what to do? In the balance, it is better not to push some PC ideal on people and let folks govern their own behavior--certainly nobody should be fired for stating exactly how I also feel about muslims.

[moderateGuy]

Unfortunately nothing will be done, until those who disagree that PC is a problem are forced to convert to Islam and are deported to Pakistan.

[Jay Kay]

"Witness last week Fox News talker Bill O'Reilly plugging a new book on The View and telling the women, "Muslims killed us on 9/11."

Yes Bill - unfortunately you forgot to mention that You (as in the US) have been killing Muslims in the thousands since you attacked Iraq and Afghanistan - which is odd as the bombers came from Saudi Arabia - that is, if you're dumb enough to believe that a bunch of tourist that barely had ANY interest in learning how to drive a small aircraft could somehow manouver a huge plane into a building, that even though was built to withstand a Jumbo Jet crashing into it (a prerequisite due to it's height) managed to fall like a pack of cars instead of toppling over , according to the laws of Physics!

The problem with doing away with Political Correctness is that:

a) We'll finally have to ask HOW all those drugs got into black neighborhoods in the 80s...

b) We'll have to ask WHO supplied Saddam Hussein with chemical gas to kill his own people (hint- it's the country that elected Bush as it's leader!)

c) We'll have to ask WHY we're spending so much money on Israel, a country that is despised all over the world...

d) And WHY we allow companies to dump so many harmful drugs into our food, our body and our environment (remember kids, flouride causes cancer!) ...

e) And WHY we spend BILLIONS on arms for our troops, yet spend so inadequately on medicare for wounded troops when they return home?

f) and lastly, WHY was no one on Wall Street punished for plunging the country into chaos and pushing the US in financial crisis?

[Chad]

I think more and more people want to be identified with a victim group now just to get the benefits of all of this political correctness.

[PC Bandit]

I drove my used (previously owned) car to a restaurant. Our waiter (server) was hitting on me, so I informed him I am a heterosexual (straight) not a homosexual (gay.) My female friend was disappointed because she was attracted to the handsome young black (african-american) man. She is white. We finished our meal, paid the cashier (sales associate) and went shopping. The waiter and cashier seemed angry with me, but I had a wonderful time.

[Cranios]

This person is a journalist? I honestly can't tell what he is trying to say, he has mixed so much satire in with serious assertions, I can't tell what his position is... and I generally don't have a problem doing that.

[PerryM]

PC is censorship - everyone knows that.

The wacko left needs all the help it can get and so slathers opponents with PC to shut them up.

This is a big deal to the communists (Uh oh did I use the wrong word?) /////Left - they just don't have that many tools at their disposal since the truth can't ever be brought up in their defense.

And this goes for Imam Obama too (Uh oh at least my PC violation wasn't a cartoon of the prophet - uh oh there I did it again. ) Not much we can talk about except for Sarah Palin or the Tea Party and there isn't any PC to protect them)

What a bunch of wimps......

[misanthropicus]

Funny is LA Times - it's non, PST and this article should have at least 100 comments by now, including mine.
Yet, nothing - Malcolm, I'm wondering, is it some political correctness in this thing, too?

Hehehe -

[Jeff]

Well, I live in Massachusetts, so I know where you're coming from with the humorless prudes crack. But we did have enough humor and cojones to elect a Republican to fill Ted Kennedy's seat, while it looks like California is ready to send Barbara Boxer back to the Senate and make Jerry Brown the new governator. So who are the politically correct, humorless prudes?

Also, Massachusetts has produced Steve Carell, Conan O'Brien, Amy Poehler, Penn Jillette, and Steven Wright. We are occasionally amusing.

[mary]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO AL!!!!!

[Marg in CT]

It is interesting that so many others who have crossed PC boundaries have been allowed to apologize, but not Juan Williams. I think something else is at work here. Perhaps Fox-phobia.

[jabusse]

The American NAZI party shows more tolerance than NPR. Being the all inclusive person I am who holds a grudge against no one and believes in equity, I will now send my money to them rather than to NPR, KCET and KOCR. I only wish I could direct my tax money too.

[Steve]

Timothy McVeigh was an atheist when he blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City. He was not a Christian as many mistakenly believe, and most in the press mistakenly report---over and over and over.
If you doubt me, do what any intelligent person would do and read the definitive authority on McVeigh's life, “American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing” (ReganBooks, 2001) written by Lou Michel and Dan Herbeck, who are staff reporters for the “Buffalo News” in New York. The book reveals that in addition to being an avowed atheist, McVeigh often liked to say to friends that "Science is my religion." So next time you hear one of your misinformed friends equate Muslim terrorism to McVeigh's alleged "Christian terrorism," set them straight regarding McVeigh's atheism.

[eric]

Isn't it funny that a self-admitted Liberal is not liberal enough when he runs astray of the propaganda machine's party line. Williams is always honest in his analysis and through the years, he has given more credibility to the liberal argument than a thousand Goldbergs and Bayhars could in a hundred years. They really shot themselves in the foot with this one.

Hey, Juan. Write a book. I'll buy it.

Sincerely,

A self-proclaimed conservative...

[Bob G.]

Hmmm. I can see that the First Amendment protects free speech. But I can't find anywhere in the Constitution a right not to be offended.

Many things are offensive. There's even a name for that condition. It's called "Life."

[Christian]

hahahahaha... seriously, great take! hahahaha

[Steve Andrews]

When you can't even say Merry Christmas in December in case you "may" offend someone, you know PC has gone way too far.

I'm so glad I don't see the world with such delicate sensibilities, looking for a reason to be upset. Life's too short.

[Norma]

I don't see what all the fuss is about regarding Juan Williams....Anyone who has ever been a follower of NPR should understand that only NPR is allowed to have an opinion, and it better be as liberal as possible.
I am very conservative, and although I do not agree with Mr. Williams politically, I do respect his right to an opinion. I have always appreciated the fact that he respects other people's opinion, even if they are not of his choosing, but is not afraid to comment on his own.

I think NPR is going to find out very quickly just how wrong this lame decision is. I for one, will no longer support or listen to NPR.........NPR has truly cut off their liberal noses to spite their liberal faces.

Mr. Williams, you are a man of integrity, and that is why you were fired. NPR has no integrity.

[Ellen K]

Political Correctness was the artificial implement designed to impose the ideals of a few on the wills of the many. Whereas we used to defer from calling out people on their differences due to something known as manners, the 1960's threw out the concept of courtesy to replace it with assertiveness. "All In the Family" was cringeworthy for most normal adults, but lauded by liberals as "reality" because they honestly view any person who dares to oppose them as bigots. For some reason those folks who like to point fingers at others, feel that they must be legally exempted from having anyone point back at them. This is the crux of PC attitude. The result is the erosion of free speech rights in the face of academia and governmental agencies that actively seek to stifle opposition in the name of progressivism.

[MrUniteUs]

Ask the risk of sounding politcal incorrect

Juan Williams, Shirley Sherrod, Van Jones, Mark Sanchez,
Helen Thomas fired instantly.

Right wing Caucasian males like Beck, and O'reilly have said
far worse, even incite violence and they are still on the air.

Something to remember next time some one complains about political
correctness.

[JTW]

"Of course, we respect the right of some people to hold nonsensical views like that. Such thoughtful minorities are an important part of the diverse American identity."

And that's PC at work right there...
74% of people is NOT a minority, and if it's non-sensical (up for debate) what they think they can't be thoughtful.

[Dave in Michigan]

ChimChim, Are you still out there? I'm not sure I understand your post. I "heard" it as meaning you feel "PC" was part of a package of cultural behavior that allowed us to end slavery and bigotry and other discriminations -- and now we're trying to kill it. Did I hear you as you intended?

If I can try to be more clear -- I believe that being a citizen of the world, or a "neighbor" one might say, there is a responsiblity to be respectful in one's treatment of others and expressions of opinions. It has to be done with tact and respect. PC instead says: "You just can't say that (or else you'll be fired, Juan)." This of course gets much more complex when it all plays out as would-be leaders try to express themselves. But then on the flip-side, if someone says something I don't agree with, I need to allow them the space to have their own opinion. Maybe I won't vote for them, though. That's all ok. Violence and and intimidation -- obviously -- NOT ok.

I hope to see a reply from you, ChimChim.

[Girl with the bushy armpits]

It is quite ironic that two notoriously leftist liberal media outlets would
demonstrate so much intolerance towards two of their own while they keep
so many in your face fringe elements defying logic and common seense.
One wonders why such an astute financier as Soros would dump millions in
such a marginal outfit as npr.Hope congress will take it's responsibility and
do away with the odious practice of giving tax dollars to NPR.Next thing
we,ll know is that CNN and MSNBC will ask for our tax $,as their solvency and ratings
keeps going down the toilet.