FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
When former Utah governor and U.S. ambassador to China Jon Huntsman announced he is running for president earlier today, he promised a campaign of civility. Huntsman told the crowd, "I don't think you need to run down anyone's reputation to run for president."
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We'll see how long that lasts.
According to a new survey on civility and behavior in America released exclusively to Politico,com, 85% of Americans think politics in this country has become increasingly uncivil. And nearly three-quarters think things will get nastier as we get deeper into the 2012 presidential race. That's probably a pretty good bet.
But it's not just politics where America's gotten nastier. Eight-six percent of Americans say they have been treated uncivilly recently - most commonly while driving or shopping. Sixty percent say they themselves have been rude to someone else.
Also in the survey, Americans were asked to rank 25 U.S. institutions from least civil to most civil. Political campaigns were the least civil, followed by pop culture, then the media, government and at No. 5, the music industry. But the sixth least civil institution? The American public. Seventy percent of those surveyed said the public wasn't civil.
And that says a lot about our society. If we can't treat each other nicely, how can we ever expect to get this country back on its feet?
Here’s my question to you: Why is America becoming nastier?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Brian in Illinois:
A lot of it has to do with the fact that so many of us once had promising futures ahead of us that were snatched away by the greed of large corporations under the guise of globalization. Add to that the breakup of family and other social units, the accelerated pace of life, expectations gone mad, and you have the perfect cocktail for a spark to become a massive flame. The biggest surprise is that this hasn't happened by now.
Barbara in Henderson, Nevada:
Well, Jack, I think it's because we the people who ARE America are fed up with what these career politicians have done with OUR country. We're just sick and tired of it. Along with all of their blaming it on each other rather than actually trying to FIX IT.
Joseph in Oceanside, California:
This is just too easy!! The entire middle class is being destroyed by the super rich and the corporations. Everyone is starting to feel hopeless because they know every candidate for office is controlled by this moneyed group. It's called slavery. We need the Arab Spring in this country.
Bill in New Mexico:
For me, it is telemarketers. I once treated telephone calls with respect. After a couple of decades of telemarketers I am most rude with them. I have even caught myself being rude with telephone calls that were not telemarketers. I say America is nastier because of bad times and telemarketers.
Nate in North Carolina:
Because technology is killing our morals. Cyber bullying, Craig's List killers, online gossip about political scandals. What can you expect? With a vicious unrestricted cyber world, a lack of compassion towards one another, deception, and selfishness seem to be the trend of today.
Cy:
What are you? Stupid? Rent, gas, food and everything goes up. If I still have a job next week it will be the one where my salary has been frozen for three years. The rich are allowed to lie, cheat and bribe and be repeatedly and amply rewarded. People who tell the truth are ignored or punished. Decent people are getting screwed while dishonest people prosper. What a stupid question. You suck. Bite me.