Public Dislikes The Nation's Wealth & Income Inequality

The charts above reflect 2010 data. The information comes from an article by Professor G. William Domhoff of the University of California at Santa Cruz, and it shows the vast inequality in both wealth and income in the United States between the rich and the rest of America. In the three years since these figures were valid, the problem has only grown worse -- with the rich getting much richer while ordinary Americans remain mired in the effects of the last recession (with millions out of work, the median income falling, and the middle class shrinking as poverty rolls grow).

In fact, while the United States remains the richest nation in the world, it is also one of the most unequal nations -- more unequal than other developed nations, and even many third world countries. And that seems to be just fine with many of this nation's politicians -- especially the Republicans in Congress. Ignoring the vast inequality, they say the solution to this nation's economic problems would be solved by funneling more money to the rich while cutting government programs that help struggling Americans ( a "solution" that would make the vast inequality much larger).

Just like with many other issues, those congressional Republicans are once again in opposition to the wishes of a majority of the American people. While the congressional Republicans are happy to funnel more money to the rich (to Wall Street and the corporations), most Americans don't like the vast inequality of wealth and income in this country. They want economic policies that would decrease the inequality, not increase it.

This is verified by a new survey by the Gallup Poll (conducted between January 5th and 8th of a random nationwide sample of 1,018 adults, with a margin of error of 4 points). The chart below shows the results of that survey. Note that not only does a huge majority of Americans (67%) say they don't like the wealth and income disparity that currently exists in this country, but a majority of every political persuasion agrees with that (including 54% of the Republican base).

If the Democrats are smart, they will make this one of their issues in the 2014 election -- along with protecting Social Security & Medicare, raising the minimum wage, and creating new jobs.