It's not the government's job to promote traditional values, Americans say

For more than two decades, Americans have evinced a declining interest in having the government promote traditional values, but newly released poll results from Gallup mark just the second time a clear majority has favored state neutrality. While 43 percent of Americans still believe government has a role in encouraging traditional morals, 51 percent now say that's none of the government's business.

Broken down by party, however, Americans' views on this subject are considerably more divergent. Some 62 percent of Democrats and 53 percent of Independents agree the government should stay away from values promotion, but only 39 percent of Republicans say the same. But the times are a-changin' even in the Grand Old Party: As recently as 2004, only 18 percent supported a value-neutral state.

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