NETWORK's sensus fidelium reality check

Stat house
October 2005

NETWORK's sensus fidelium reality check
NETWORK, a Washington-based Catholic lobby working on a gamut of legislative issues of importance to Catholics, recently surveyed its membership, members of other social justice groups, and subscribers to Catholic publications to find out what the good sense of the faithful had to say about national legislative priorities.

Almost 60 precent of NETWORK's 900 or so respondents were Catholic laypeople; 22 percent were religious; and 10 percent were priests (the balance represented respondents from different denominations). Here's what they had to say:

How important is each issue to you?

Very Important

Somewhat Important

Not Very Important

Make Affordable Housing available to all.

85% (662)

14% (106)

1% (10)

Emphasize International Diplomacy, not Pre-emptive War in international relations.

95% (750)

4% (33)

1% (10)

Reform Immigration Policies to be more welcoming to newcomers.

58% (445)

37% (281)

5% (36)

Increase Economic Security by raising the minimum wage.

78% (617)

19% (149)

3% (23)

Make Health Care available to all.

95% (747)

4% (34)

1% (8)

Reform the Tax Policy that has provided tax breaks for the wealthy while increasing the deficit.

90% (702)

8% (64)

2% (15)

Reform international Trade Policies (such as NAFTA and CAFTA) to support workers, communities, and the environment.

74% (569)

23% (175)

3% (20)

How well do you think the government is doing on each issue?

Good

Fair

Poor

Make Affordable Housing available to all.

2% (15)

24% (171)

73% (514)

Emphasize International Diplomacy, not Pre-emptive War in international relations.

3% (20)

6% (44)

91% (652)

Reform Immigration Policies to be more welcoming to newcomers.

3% (19)

28% (192)

69% (467)

Increase Economic Security by raising the minimum wage.

3% (21)

18% (126)

79% (554)

Make Health Care available to all.

3% (20)

9% (67)

88% (628)

Reform the Tax Policy that has provided tax breaks for the wealthy while increasing the deficit.

2% (14)

4% (29)

94% (663)

Reform international Trade Policies (such as NAFTA and CAFTA) to support workers, communities, and the environment.

2% (15)

18% (125)

79% (540)

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