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A new survey finds signs of public uneasiness with the mixing of religion and politics. The number of people who say there has been too much religious talk by political leaders stands at an all-time high since the Pew Research Center began asking the question more than a decade ago. And most Americans continue to say that churches and other houses of worship should keep out of politics.

Nearly four-in-ten Americans (38%) now say there has been too much expression of religious faith and prayer from political leaders, while 30% say there has been too little. In 2010, more said there was too little than too much religious expression from politicians (37% vs. 29%). The percentage saying there is too much expression of religious faith by politicians has increased across party lines, but this view remains far more widespread among Democrats than Republicans.

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, conducted March 7-11 among 1,503 adults, finds that 54% think that churches and other houses of worship should keep out of political matters; 40% say they should express their views on social and political questions. That is largely unchanged over the past four years, but between 1996 and 2006 the balance of opinion on this question consistently tilted in the opposite direction.

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Gov. Malloy’s Attacks on Teachers, Small Town School Systems and Urban Schools Don’t Seem To Be Hurting Him

Connecticut voters support 68 – 27 percent a proposal to allow adults to use marijuana for medical purposes, with a physician’s prescription, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. There is no gender, partisan, income, age or education group opposed.

By a smaller 54 – 42 percent margin, voters want liquor stores to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. There are gender and partisan differences: Men support Sunday sales 60 – 37 percent while women are divided 48 – 48 percent. Support is 56 – 41 percent among Democrats and 57 – 40 percent among independent voters, while Republicans split 47 – 48 percent.

Connecticut voters oppose 63 – 35 percent allowing convenience stores at gas stations to sell beer. There is no group in favor of this idea.

Voters, however, would like more choice in alcoholic beverages at the supermarket:
- 32 percent say supermarkets should sell only beer, as they do now;
- 43 percent say supermarkets should be allowed to sell beer and wine;
-20 percent say supermarkets should be allowed to sell beer, wine and liquor.

Connecticut voters give Gov. Dannel Malloy an almost-even 44 – 45 percent approval rating, his best score ever. Disapproval is 66 – 24 percent among Republicans and 48 – 40 percent among independent voters while Democrats approve 64 – 27 percent. Men are divided 46 – 46 percent while women disapprove 45 – 41 percent.

Voters support Gov. Malloy’s proposal to limit teacher tenure 54 – 35 percent. Support is 51 – 38 percent among Democrats and 47 – 41 percent among voters in union households.

Voters have an overwhelming 66 – 12 percent favorable opinion of public school teachers, but have a 32 – 27 percent unfavorable opinion of the teachers’ unions.

Teachers who do an outstanding job should get merit pay, voters say 67 – 28 percent, and it should be easier to fire bad teachers, voters say 62 – 31 percent. Voters in union households support both measures.

A legislative proposal to abolish the death penalty is a “bad idea,” Connecticut voters say 62 – 31 percent. Women say keep the death penalty 58 – 33 percent, while men support the death penalty 66 – 29 percent. Democrats back repeal of the death penalty 48 – 44 percent, as do self-described liberals 48 – 45 percent. No other group is against the death penalty.

And if the death penalty is abolished, those already sentenced to death should still be executed, voters say 58 – 35 percent.