![Amid Time of Soaring Inequality, Rich Say: The Poor Have It Easy](https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/america-s-most-financially-secure-were-more-likely-to-say-that-the-poor-have-it-easy-photo-dean-chahim-flickr-cc.jpg?id=32163328&width=1200&height=400&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C91%2C0%2C91)
America's most financially secure were more likely to say that the poor "have it easy." (Photo: Dean Chahim/flickr/cc)
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America's most financially secure were more likely to say that the poor "have it easy." (Photo: Dean Chahim/flickr/cc)
According to the nation's richest people, the poor have it easy.
Fifty-four percent of survey respondents categorized as the most financially secure said "poor people today have it easy because they can get government benefits without doing anything in return," newly released findings by the Pew Research Center show.
Of the next most financially secure group, 57 percent agreed with that sentiment, while just 29 percent of those categorized as the least financially secure did.
Sixty percent of those at the bottom economic rung also said that the "government should do more to help the needy."
Forty-six percent of those most financially secure said that corporations were raking in too much profit, compared to 65 percent of those least financially secure who thought so.
But inequality--which has reached levels not seen since the 1820s--remains a top concern globally, and citizens see governments as key in addressing the issue, a separate poll found.
GlobeScan and Oxfam International polled 24,000 citizens across two dozen countries, and found that poverty and homelessness continue to be seen as major concerns.
The poll also found that an average of 80 percent rated economic inequality as at least somewhat serious, with 59 percent saying that the government should be at the helm of addressing the issue.
"This poll is powerful evidence that, all over the world, the public clamor to tackle inequality and poverty is growing and hardening by the day," stated Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International. "Our political and business leaders will ignore this at their peril."
The world is a pretty dark place right now. Economic inequality off the charts. The climate emergency. Supreme Court corruption in the U.S. and corporate capture worldwide. Democracy in many nations coming apart at the seams. Fascism threatens. It’s enough to make you wish for some powerful being to come along and save us. But the truth is this: no heroes are coming to save us. The only path to real and progressive change is when well-informed, well-intentioned people—fed up with being kicked around by the rich, the powerful, and the wicked—get organized and fight for the better world we all deserve. That’s why we created Common Dreams. We cover the issues that corporate media never will and lift up voices others would rather keep silent. But this people-powered media model can only survive with the support of readers like you. Can you join with us and donate right now to Common Dreams’ Mid-Year Campaign? |
According to the nation's richest people, the poor have it easy.
Fifty-four percent of survey respondents categorized as the most financially secure said "poor people today have it easy because they can get government benefits without doing anything in return," newly released findings by the Pew Research Center show.
Of the next most financially secure group, 57 percent agreed with that sentiment, while just 29 percent of those categorized as the least financially secure did.
Sixty percent of those at the bottom economic rung also said that the "government should do more to help the needy."
Forty-six percent of those most financially secure said that corporations were raking in too much profit, compared to 65 percent of those least financially secure who thought so.
But inequality--which has reached levels not seen since the 1820s--remains a top concern globally, and citizens see governments as key in addressing the issue, a separate poll found.
GlobeScan and Oxfam International polled 24,000 citizens across two dozen countries, and found that poverty and homelessness continue to be seen as major concerns.
The poll also found that an average of 80 percent rated economic inequality as at least somewhat serious, with 59 percent saying that the government should be at the helm of addressing the issue.
"This poll is powerful evidence that, all over the world, the public clamor to tackle inequality and poverty is growing and hardening by the day," stated Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International. "Our political and business leaders will ignore this at their peril."
According to the nation's richest people, the poor have it easy.
Fifty-four percent of survey respondents categorized as the most financially secure said "poor people today have it easy because they can get government benefits without doing anything in return," newly released findings by the Pew Research Center show.
Of the next most financially secure group, 57 percent agreed with that sentiment, while just 29 percent of those categorized as the least financially secure did.
Sixty percent of those at the bottom economic rung also said that the "government should do more to help the needy."
Forty-six percent of those most financially secure said that corporations were raking in too much profit, compared to 65 percent of those least financially secure who thought so.
But inequality--which has reached levels not seen since the 1820s--remains a top concern globally, and citizens see governments as key in addressing the issue, a separate poll found.
GlobeScan and Oxfam International polled 24,000 citizens across two dozen countries, and found that poverty and homelessness continue to be seen as major concerns.
The poll also found that an average of 80 percent rated economic inequality as at least somewhat serious, with 59 percent saying that the government should be at the helm of addressing the issue.
"This poll is powerful evidence that, all over the world, the public clamor to tackle inequality and poverty is growing and hardening by the day," stated Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International. "Our political and business leaders will ignore this at their peril."