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Gallup: Majority in U.S. Want Wealth More Evenly Distributed ( 52% support heavy taxes on rich)
Gallup ^ | 04/18/2013 | Frank Newport

Posted on 04/18/2013 2:42:05 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

About six in 10 Americans believe that money and wealth should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people in the U.S., while one-third think the current distribution is fair. Although Americans' attitudes on this topic have fluctuated somewhat over time, the current sentiment is virtually the same as when Gallup first asked this question in 1984. Slightly fewer have favored a more even distribution since October 2008.

The range in the percentage saying wealth should be "more evenly distributed" has been relatively narrow over time, from a low of 56% in 2000 to a high of 68% in April 2008.

Gallup has asked the question at least once during the administration of three Republican presidents -- Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush -- and two Democrats, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. But there is no generally consistent pattern across these administrations. For example, the slightly lower percentage favoring a more even distribution during the Obama administration started in the final year of George W. Bush's administration -- after the onset of the financial crisis.

Wealth distribution is a key polarizing issue in contemporary U.S. politics. Partisan reactions to this question reflect that polarization, with more than eight in 10 Democrats saying money and wealth need to be more evenly distributed, compared with 28% of Republicans. There is a similar, although less extreme, divide between the views of liberals -- 79% of whom say money and wealth should be more evenly distributed -- and those of conservatives (41%).

(Excerpt) Read more at gallup.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abortion; deathpanels; gallup; obamacare; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; redistribution; reparations; socialism; zerocare
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To: dartuser
A poll like this that, does not break out and disclose, the number/ratio of responders that do not disclose how much taxes they pay, or assistance get, is like doing a poll of that includes 50% pedophiles while asking “what do you think of adults having sex with ten year olds...............and failing to note that your sample includes 50% pedophiles or 50% freeloaders while identifying age groups.
41 posted on 04/18/2013 3:09:42 PM PDT by BilLies (The Progressive Liberal American Press will be the death of freedom in this country.)
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To: SeekAndFind

This should not be a surprise...we are no longer a united nation. We are two distinct groups who will fight...best to part ways.


42 posted on 04/18/2013 3:11:57 PM PDT by Wpin ("I Have Sworn Upon the Altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny...")
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To: SeekAndFind

And that is why I refuse to work my butt off anymore. Tired of building my biz for over 30 yrs, paying more & more taxes just for my money to be increasingly confiscated. No more - after I pay my bills, I just don’t take the work anymore. Would rather have more free time to enjoy the sunsets.


43 posted on 04/18/2013 3:13:36 PM PDT by vidbizz
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To: SeekAndFind

Many of you who read that material will identify with the “rich.” Try to put that aside for a moment.

Of course, “taxing the rich more” is not the answer, but clearing the way for more competition is. Think about it. For example, you all know that we need more real, “sustainable” revenues from manufacturing and that our country’s economy is lacking in production.

Try getting rid of zoning ordinances/”laws” against new, small manufacturing operations in rural areas. Put the generalizing hogwash about custom machining operations losing to CNC shops, for example, out of mind for the time being. Yes, for screw machines and the like, true, but not all kinds of production. I’ve done the work enough to know better. Repeal those ordinances. Touch that nerve. See what happens.


44 posted on 04/18/2013 3:14:25 PM PDT by familyop (We Baby Boomers are croaking in an avalanche of rotten politics smelled around the planet.)
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To: SeekAndFind

The end result is a declining standard of living for all. Those who get freebies won’t work at all and those that do work will work less hard and say why bother when it goes to the government and someone else. Americans are used to benefitting from their own industry. Take the reward away and that’s it. America: the bigger they are, the harder they fall.


45 posted on 04/18/2013 3:14:52 PM PDT by informavoracious (The ancient Greeks and Romans thought they were on the "right side of history.")
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To: SeekAndFind

get them to pay taxes themselves or shut up....if you don’t pay taxes then you have no right to vote on how the money is spent


46 posted on 04/18/2013 3:15:33 PM PDT by The Wizard (Madam President is my President now and in the future)
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To: SeekAndFind

What liberal don’t understand is that most of them would end up with a cut in pay.


47 posted on 04/18/2013 3:18:11 PM PDT by VerySadAmerican
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To: Opinionated Blowhard

Ask them, “Would you like a more even distribution of wealth even if that meant that your own personal income and/or wealth status remained unchanged?”

They would say, nope.

Envy is a sin, brothers.


48 posted on 04/18/2013 3:20:05 PM PDT by Noamie
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To: SeekAndFind

Who is John Galt?

Pray for America to Wake UP


49 posted on 04/18/2013 3:20:48 PM PDT by bray (Surviving to spite Obama)
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To: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten

It’s amazing how many acquaintances of mine keep saying let the rich people pay more in taxes.


50 posted on 04/18/2013 3:25:09 PM PDT by Wiggins
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To: SeekAndFind

Until you tell them that you will be taking THEIR money. Then the conniptions start.


51 posted on 04/18/2013 3:25:48 PM PDT by headstamp 2 (What would Scooby do?)
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To: SeekAndFind

The catch is they NEVER ask what is considered a FAIR amount that people would like the rich to be taxed. When my sampling answers most of these dolts say something along the lines of 50 percent for ALL tax burdens. Imagine their surprise when I say oh good now we can lower taxes.


52 posted on 04/18/2013 3:33:07 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: SeekAndFind

Scary but hardly surprising. And now... once and for all, we can cast aside the false premise that America is no longer a “center-right” country.


53 posted on 04/18/2013 3:33:26 PM PDT by ScottinVA (Gun control: Steady firm grip, target within sights, squeeze the trigger slowly...)
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To: ScottinVA

That America is no longer = America is still


54 posted on 04/18/2013 3:35:28 PM PDT by ScottinVA (Gun control: Steady firm grip, target within sights, squeeze the trigger slowly...)
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To: Wiggins

It is and it isn’t. Think of how many people fall for all the “you may already have won” and similar scams. And amazing number of people seem to think that money is going to fall from the sky and land in their front yard. Even if common sense and experience would suggest the contrary.


55 posted on 04/18/2013 3:40:59 PM PDT by 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
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To: freedumb2003

“Paul “ in the case would be political cronies, not the people who participated in this poll. If they could only figure that out.


56 posted on 04/18/2013 3:47:43 PM PDT by virgil
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To: SeekAndFind
34% of CONSERVATIVES said we should distribute wealth?

Who qualifies as a conservative? John McCain, Schwarzenegger, Olympia Snow????

57 posted on 04/18/2013 3:52:01 PM PDT by Cyman
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To: SeekAndFind
In a capitalist system, wealth isn't distributed.

It's earned.

58 posted on 04/18/2013 4:01:06 PM PDT by BfloGuy (The economy is not a pie, but a bakery.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Eliminating crony capitalism and rolling back regulation would more evenly distribute wealth.


59 posted on 04/18/2013 4:13:08 PM PDT by freedomfiter2 (Brutal acts of commission and yawning acts of omission both strengthen the hand of the devil.)
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To: SeekAndFind

I will take the optimistic approach. If you look at the first chart, while more people in this poll think the rich should pay more, please note that the level is just about the lowest it has been in years. It fact it dropped down significantly since Obama was elected President. So, just maybe many people do not like what they see Obama attempting to do.


60 posted on 04/18/2013 4:16:01 PM PDT by CdMGuy
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