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NCC 'Talk-Backs' and 'Town Hall Walls' Opening Weekend Results

The questions in the NCC/Gallup poll were based upon the “Talk-Back” and “Town Hall Wall” features of the National Constitution Center (NCC).

What are “Talk-Backs” and the “Town Hall Wall”?
Five “Talk-Back” stations pose philosophic questions about the nature of our system of government. Visitors write their answers with a golf pencils on yellow Post-It notes for other visitors to see.

At the end of the exhibit, three questions based upon current events also are posted on the “Town Hall Wall.” These questions are changed about every three months as a way of illustrating the continuing conversations citizens have about the Constitution.

Each day NCC staff removes the notes and archives them by question and date. The responses later are entered into a database so that public opinion can be tracked over time and compared to national polls.

What are our visitors saying?
The results below are based on the visitors who answered the questions during the NCC’s opening weekend July 4-6, 2003. Only those responses that more than 5% of visitors wrote are listed here.

Tell us what justifies sending troops to war?
Nothing 17%
To preserve freedom 15%
To defend or protect our country 14%
An attack on America 11%
Threat/danger to America 7%

Should the Ten Commandments be posted on public buildings?
No 52%
Yes 37%

Does the Second Amendment protect the rights of individual gun owners?
Yes 22.3%
No 21.56%

19% of total responses did not answer the question directly, but
gave their general attitudes on gun ownership.
Pro-gun ownership 38%
Anti-gun ownership 53%

Does the Patriot Act balance our security and liberty?
No 10%
Yes 56%
Maybe 5%

Tell us what makes us free?
Ability to pursue various leisure activities 20%
Freedom of religion 10%
Freedom of speech 9%
To have choices 8%
To be able to vote 5%

Tell us if we have too much federal government, or not enough?
Too much 41%
Not enough 12%
Just right 13%

Tell us if the United States has established justice for all?
Yes 43%
No 28%
Maybe 20%