Detailed results worth viewing at source.

Pollster John Zogby said, “Over my years of polling, I’ve learned that Americans tend to offer socially acceptable responses when questioned on their own views about race and prejudice. That’s why in this poll we predominantly asked people about “most Americans’” views on race and prejudice. We believe this provides a far more accurate window into how people really think about these issues. Americans are more forthcoming when discussing the problem in the context of their neighbors’ lives than in the context of their own lives.”

The approach of asking people what they believe most American think about issues makes good sense. We tend to be more honest and a group, if we are responding to questions that do not necessarily focus on our own personal beliefs.

There is tons of hypocrisy in society and this survey does a very good job of illuminating it clearly. However, I do not necessarily believe there is an increase in hypocrisy, but because of the ever increasing means of communications and investigation, we are all more aware of its existence.

I'm not fat, but most Americans are.
I'm not racist, but my neighbors are.
It's not my fault, it's the Republicans/Democrats.
(Bush/Clinton) is a hero, but (Clinton/Bush) was a criminal.
We don't kill innocent civilians, but terrorists do.
We don't commit war crimes, but Saddam did.
Muslims are religious wackos, but I'm just pious.
Al Qaeda is evil, of course we're not!

The most fascinating trend here is the exceptionalism. Americans tend to believe all sorts of things about their fellow Americans, but presume that they, of course, are somehow above them.

How and when did it become so acceptable to exclude ourselves from the standards we hold up for others.