Poll: Income gap worsening.
By on Jul 6th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Poll: Income gap worsening.
New poll finds that seven in 10 Americans believe that “discrepancies between income levels are too large, a sentiment voiced by nearly two-thirds of those from households earning at least $80,000 a year, the survey said. Three-fourths of people earning less than $80,000 agreed. Eight in 10 said the gap between the rich and the middle class has worsened over the last 25 years.”
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I would say that seems correct, so lets elect a republicrat to fix that. We clearly need a viable third party.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:29 amRobin Hood 2008!
July 6th, 2007 at 10:32 amWell, so much for the “degenerate white guy” way of running the country.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:32 amHmm… income gap worsening… that sounds a little bit like income redistribution to me.
I expect to see some posts from outraged cons protesting this income redistribution. That IS a subject that gets them all riled up, isn’t it?
July 6th, 2007 at 10:33 amI’d like to see one conservative explain why a full-time employed person should not be making a living wage. Not rich – living – as in able to support himself or herself and his or her family.
Limited resources means that paying CEOs those extra billions is only possible by taking it away from someone else. Someone with a full-time job. And that is EXACTLY what is happening.
How is putting someone fully employed in poverty being human, much less the ‘good christian’ they all claim? Hmmm?
July 6th, 2007 at 10:43 amWho could be worth a multimillion annual paycheck?
I’d say actors and athletes only… they provide millions with “comfort”.
These overpaid CEOs provide comfort to the board (and maybe stock holders) and damn the workers.
I’d say the world could use a major cull.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:45 amThe wealthy elite in America want the majority to become dirt poor. That way they can have servants and slaves once again.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:46 amYeah, but what do these people know?? Eight in ten people are commie leftists.
Ooops — that would make them centrists now wouldn’t it?
It certainly would, but the media will never acknowledge it — gotta protect those facsists at the top and keep the masses under control.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:47 am“Worsening” – so, if wages were more even it would be better, and if everyone made the same wage, or better yet, a living wage (depending on the needs of the individual) it would be perfect!
Paging Karl Marx – liberal Democrat on line 1.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:49 amNell@6: actors and athletes because they provide comfort?
By your logic, so would dope dealers, network news anchors, and the White House press corps :-)
(Sorry, I just thought that was soooo funny …)
July 6th, 2007 at 10:51 amMike,
Dude, you’re talking to yourself.
A string of non sequitur’s does not constitute a legitimate argument.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:53 amNext talking point.
I like polls and all, but “seven in 10 Americans believe that “discrepancies between income levels are too large” Well I don’t know what you folks make, but I know you don’t know what I make, how can you poll somebody like this? Just sayin.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:55 amEight in 10 said the gap between the rich and the middle class has worsened over the last 25 years.â€
Wow, so only 80% can acknowledge an objective fact? I guess we should call that progress.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:56 am.
I have absolutely no doubt that the Gilded Age has returned in a technology and service economy, and that the gap between rich and poor is wider than ever. I would like to suggest, however, a revision of the article headline. Your piece states that Americans believe that the income gap is worsening; there is no empirical data listed to support your current headline.
Picky, I know. I’m a university professor. What can I say?
July 6th, 2007 at 10:59 amBlueArkansas,
That’s fair. I thought it was a tad misleading as well.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:00 amI like polls and all, but “seven in 10 Americans believe that “discrepancies between income levels are too large†Well I don’t know what you folks make, but I know you don’t know what I make, how can you poll somebody like this? Just sayin.
Comment by prof shropshire — July 6, 2007 @ 10:55 am
It’s a good point, Prof. A poll on a question like this only measures public sentiment. That’s a good predicter of something like voting choices, but it’s not very useful when talking about actual income figures.
Here is the kind of statistical analysis that might be useful:
“Income inequality grew significantly in 2005, with the top 1 percent of Americans – those with incomes that year of more than $348,000 – receiving their largest share of national income since 1928, analysis of newly released tax data shows.The top 10 percent, roughly those earning more than $100,000, also reached a level of income share not seen since before the Depression.
While total reported income in the United States increased almost 9 percent in 2005, the most recent year for which such data is available, average incomes for those in the bottom 90 percent dipped slightly compared with the year before, dropping $172, or 0.6 percent.
The gains went largely to the top 1 percent, whose incomes rose to an average of more than $1.1 million each, an increase of more than $139,000, or about 14 percent.”
This was from a study of IRS data conducted by two university researchers. The article was originally published in the NYT.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:03 amAnd it seems only the rich have leisure time. Them and teenagers. The Middle Class now comprises two income households where both spouses work a 40+ hour work week –and that’s just to keep their heads above water!
BTW, you do know that, not only do Europeans enjoy singlepayer universal healthcare, but they average five weeks of paid vacation each year. Ah, vive la difference!
July 6th, 2007 at 11:06 amnot only do Europeans enjoy singlepayer universal healthcare, but they average five weeks of paid vacation each year. Ah, vive la difference!
Comment by david — July 6, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Yeah, but that must be why the dollar is so much stronger than the Euro — oh, wait — never mind…
July 6th, 2007 at 11:11 amBlue:
How about…
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16922582/
Then there is this:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/14/AR2007061400513.html
Enough data?
July 6th, 2007 at 11:12 am#18,
You may have misinterpreted my point. I don’t doubt that the data exists. It’s patently obvious to me that wealth is steadily consolidating upwards, and that the wealthy have a vested interest in creating a massive underclass enslaved to wage labor by virtue of subprime mortgages and consumer debt. What I was saying—poorly, I suppose—was that TP should include some of that data in the piece to legitimize the headline. As it stands, the piece discusses popular opinion toward income inequities, not the actual phenomenon itself.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:19 amEven though this is correctly called out as an attitudinal poll, it is telling about people’s perceptions.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:26 amIn this instance, perception is that person’s reality.
I’d pay money to watch a debate between BlueArkansas and any of the normal trolls here. It would be like watching a university professor explain economics to a monkey.
Oh… wait.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:28 amI’d like to see one conservative explain why a full-time employed person should not be making a living wage.
Simple. They are not productive enough.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:34 pmm12,
It’s all about putting others down to feel good about yourself ain’t it.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:38 pmYou’re pathetic
BTW, you do know that, not only do Europeans enjoy singlepayer universal healthcare, but they average five weeks of paid vacation each year. Ah, vive la difference!
‘Paid’ vacation is one of the most absurd concepts ever imagined. Why would you want to get paid less for 45 weeks so you can get 5 weeks of paid vacation?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:39 pm#24
I am not putting down anybody. Just stating a simple fact.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:40 pmPaid’ vacation is one of the most absurd concepts ever imagined. Why would you want to get paid less for 45 weeks so you can get 5 weeks of paid vacation?
Comment by m12 — July 6, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Might have something to do with family, desires to see the world. quality time, religous pilgrimages. Aren’t you that guy whose only motivator is money?
July 6th, 2007 at 12:48 pmMight have something to do with family, desires to see the world. quality time, religous pilgrimages. Aren’t you that guy whose only motivator is money?
You can see the world in our system without ‘paid’ vacation by making more money when you do work.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:50 pmYou can see the world in our system without ‘paid’ vacation by making more money when you do work.
Comment by m12 — July 6, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
Maybe but for far too many the nature of their work/exploitation would trap them in a never ending cycle of work at the expense of the finer and more valuable things
July 6th, 2007 at 12:53 pmMaybe but for far too many the nature of their work/exploitation would trap them in a never ending cycle of work at the expense of the finer and more valuable things
The Euros get that anyway! Do you really believe there is such a thing as a free lunch!
July 6th, 2007 at 1:04 pmI’d like to echo some of the sentiments expressed previously in this thread: It’s good that average Americans are not fooled and can see the growing income inequalities.
However, it would be nicer to have hard data to back up that opinion, belief, perception, etc. There is data out there; the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times both published articles highlighting the income gap, as well as social mobility “freeze” in American society.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:10 pmDo you really believe there is such a thing as a free lunch!
Comment by m12 — July 6, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Nothing is ever entirely free in any human interaction. However, I also believe in free and reduced lunch. A very cost effective lunch can be enjoyed when financial gain/position is not the driver. When humility, humanity, and culinary decadence converge
Bon Appetit
July 6th, 2007 at 1:14 pmWhen humility, humanity, and culinary decadence converge
Comment by dbadass — July 6, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
You DO realize you’re talking to He’s12, right? Talking about concepts like these withthis roll — isn’t that a little bit like discussing “justice” or “beauty” with a cast-iron dachshund-shaped doorstop?
July 6th, 2007 at 1:21 pmisn’t that a little bit like discussing “justice†or “beauty†with a cast-iron dachshund-shaped doorstop?
Comment by spit take — July 6, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Did you have to bring that up? Jeez what was I on? Must have been that “Guatemalan Insanity Pepper”. What with the talking dog and all…
If it’s lunchtime by you enjoy it!
July 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pmDemocrat Senator Sherrod Brown of OH for president in 2008. Fighter, NOT a lawyer and experienced etc. Better than any one running in 2008 on both sides way better. Google his bio.
July 6th, 2007 at 1:50 pmNothing is ever entirely free in any human interaction. However, I also believe in free and reduced lunch. A very cost effective lunch can be enjoyed when financial gain/position is not the driver. When humility, humanity, and culinary decadence converge
Financial position is always a factor. Who loses when they hand out free lunches in schools?
The employees and the taxpayers! You can shift costs to a degree, but they don’t disappear.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:03 pmEvery bill that passes through the senate doors is obstructed by the Republicans. Sadly Reid only has only extra seat on the floor and he is always blasted. Truth be told people need to look at the votes and realize what is going on. Now Reid is speaking of staying longer into August to get more work done, maybe people should view what really happens with these Republicans.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:04 pmElk
Financial position is always a factor. Who loses when they hand out free lunches in schools?
The employees and the taxpayers! You can shift costs to a degree, but they don’t disappear.
Comment by m12 — July 6, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Who loses when we don’t?. You seem very communal and egalitarian. Why should the child’s luch “cost”? Most social primates “share” willingly with those less able to provide for themselves.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:07 pmWho loses when we don’t?. You seem very communal and egalitarian. Why should the child’s luch “cost� Most social primates “share†willingly with those less able to provide for themselves
Who loses when they don’t? Probably the food contracter, who probably would be forced to provide it for ‘free’ anyway.
Of course it has costs. Food has to be grown, raised, farmed, packaged, transported, and cooked, among other things. It doesn’t conjure itself on a plate.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:37 pmJoe Average has been saying this for a long time now, but few were listening. Joe Average has much more company these days, and maybe more are listening.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:18 pmThe middle class is being pushed into the poor class, and the poor class is being pushed into desperation. But the rich are getting richer. And according to Bush&co, that’s all that matters.
Who loses when they don’t? Probably the food contracter, who probably would be forced to provide it for ‘free’ anyway.
Of course it has costs. Food has to be grown, raised, farmed, packaged, transported, and cooked, among other things. It doesn’t conjure itself on a plate.
Comment by m12 — July 6, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Can you think of anyone who loses BESIDES the “food contractor”? Aren’t you forgetting the kids who go hungry and don’t learn and don’t achieve because their physical needs are not properly met? Oh, that’s right — they don’t matter to you guys. Because they’re out of the womb, so they’re on their own, and “No Child Left Behind” is not really a goal — it’s more of a slogan that says “Any child that IS left behind, it’s his own fault,” right?
Compassionate conservatism in its purest form.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:54 pmOnly in Bushworld….
July 6th, 2007 at 10:02 pm#41
The kids who are going hungry should be getting the money that is being diverted to the teachers unions and the Democratic party.
Schools are spending $14k per student per year in central New Jersey. What are they getting for that money?
July 6th, 2007 at 10:09 pm