Republican Voters Want to Keep Grabbing the Wealth

[Nasty Jack]

Economic inequality, which includes income inequality, has been growing at a rapid pace in the last few years making the middle class and the poor the losers. The only ones to reap rewards are the wealthy...that despised 1%. But a new Pew Research study says the Republicans/conservatives like that just fine and want to leave it that way. In the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll this question was asked:

“Do you think the federal government should or should not pursue policies that try to reduce the gap between wealthy and less well-off Americans?”

The results shouldn't surprise Progressives but it should shame conservatives. Republicans don't want to do anything about it and white evangelical Protestants are evenly split on the issue. In reverse, Democrats and Independents support efforts to address the wealth gap and 62% of all American adults believe the government should try to reduce the huge chasm. With only 31% believing otherwise, that’s a 2-to-1 advantage.

Add to this the fact that a majority of Americans regardless of race support actions to reduce the wealth gap, as well as by age, gender, level of education, household income and geographic region. What we have is a broad consensus that this is an issue worthy of national action.

This 62% figure, which includes Progressives and Independents, leads me to the conclusion that a recent post of mine, "Hail-Hail...Conservatism is Declining," predicts the future of American politics.

[daleanime]

1. K&R.....

[Puglsy]

2. The Problem Is How To Reduce The Gap

Its easy to say and throe out percentages on what people want but how do you go about it? We can increase minimum wage but that really wont reduce the gap. The rich will still have their money. We can raise taxes on the rich but then the ones that own businesses will just pass the cost onto us the consumer. The thing is there isn't really a way to do it unless government gets involved. Even most of us dems are for the free market. Unless you want the government to get involved with the free market and put a limit on what a person can get paid or make the gap really wont shrink. I try to shrink the gap myself just by looking for better work with better pay. With each new experience I get and with each new and better job I shrink the gap myself. Its a lot easier then waiting for someone to do it for us.
At the same time what is your solution or what do you think can successfully shrink the gap? I can't think of anything outside of the government getting heavily involved and as we all know that isn't always a good thing. I think a better thing would be to get companies incentives to keep good jobs here that pay more rather then sending all their work to China.

[Ferretherder]

3. So you believe the 'market' can correct itself without 'government' getting involved?...

...hmmmmmm.

You on the right message board, bro/sis?

[Puglsy]

4. Solutions not Rhetoric.

Look we can all spout off on how rich people suck but by the end of the day none of us have any real solutions to fix the gap. I hate to say it but I am a democrat and I work for a company. They pay me pretty well so I don't complain. Government can only get involved so much. They are pretty much involved in the economy as far as they legally can be at this point.
The best thing government can do is to correct the trade deficit in china and have them stop manipulating their currency. We are losing tons of jobs because of this and that's why we are all getting poorer while the rich corporations get richer in this country by moving jobs to other countries. I mean realistically what do you think we should do? Force companies to lower prices on products, raise all wages for the little guy and lower CEO pay? Do you think even democrat supporting companies like Apple will stand for that? What I am saying is there are some things we can do that aren't so ludicrous where government is taking over free enterprise and taking over companies. If government starts taking over free enterprise you no longer have a democracy. Believe it or serious and realistic democrats such as myself don't support a take over of business by government but that's what it sounds like people with extreme views want. Its a slippery slope and dangerous. Rhetoric and complaining doesn't do anything solutions do. Give one.

[Ferretherder]

5. Not rhetorical at all.Here'so your list...

1.Make the wealthy pay their FAIR share of the taxes.
2.Close all 'offshore' loopholes for big corporations.
3.Give tax incentives to companies that keep jobs here in the continental US.
4.Pass legislation mandating a 'living wage' nationwide.
5.Pass 'single payer' Healthcare legislation.
6.Pass legislation aimed at confronting our nation's crumbling infrastructure, automatically guaranteeing a plethora of new jobs in the construction fields.
7.Pass legislation aimed at reducing the cost of higher education and making it affordable for all who wish to attend university.

...I could go on....

[Puglsy]

6. I agree with some.

I agree with some of that not all. I think the wealthy pay enough taxes. If someone makes 10,000,000 in a year and pays 3-4 million in taxes thats more than enough. They staked their claim and got it I cant fault them for that as long as they make their riches legally.

Tax incentives for companies that keep jobs here is good.

A living wage is tough. I know accountants that have just gotten their first jobs only starting at about 15 dollars a hour. If McDonalds employees make that much starting why would anyone go to school.
I don't like the single payer health care. If the government cant run the post office why would I want them to take control of all healthcare?
As long as the money is used correctly and fairly(i.e. All construction companies get a chance at funds not just ones that support a particular candidate) Everyone should have a fair chance to get jobs.

Reducing the cost of education is difficult because college professors wont take pay cuts so reducing the cost will have to come from somewhere else. I do not support a tax on everyones wages to cover this. Sorry I don't have kids so I shouldn't have to pay taxes to make college easier for them. I am ok with people that have kids to pay taxes to help out with college costs.