It may not be politically correct to say it, but most Americans think the country’s gotten too PC and see that as a problem.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Adults believe America today has become too politically correct, while just 23% say the country is not politically correct enough. Eleven percent (11%) say the balance is about right.

Some people think that government officials too often override the facts and common sense in the name of political correctness, and 74% regard political correctness as a problem in America today. Thirteen percent (13%) disagree and say it’s not a problem, and 13% more are not sure.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters said last November that political correctness prevented the U.S. military from responding to warning signs that could have prevented Major Nidal Malik Hasan from massacring 13 people and wounding many others at Fort Hood, Texas.

It’s important to note that the questions did not define political correctness in any way. (To see survey question wording, click here.) The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines political correctness as “conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated,” and it has come to be understood by many as prohibiting critical comments about politically sensitive topics and groups.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 15-16, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Do Republicans and Democrats agree that political correctness is a problem in America today? What’s the racial divide on this topic? Become a Platinum member and find out.