North Carolinians Want MORE Government Action on Poverty
Think that the residents of Southern red states like North Carolina don't want the government to do more about poverty? Think again.
A new state-wide poll from Elon University's Center for Public Opinion Polling conducted this February finds that North Carolinians think poverty is a growing problem that requires public action. Among the findings:
A new state-wide poll from Elon University's Center for Public Opinion Polling conducted this February finds that North Carolinians think poverty is a growing problem that requires public action. Among the findings:
*** 59% of North Carolinians think poverty is a "big problem"So there you have it: the people in this red state have about as progressive a set of views on poverty as one could hope for -- way ahead of the state's elected leaders. The question is, what can and will progressives do to capitalize on it?
*** 68% believe that government has an obligation to improve the standard of living of poor Americans
*** 58% think the government spends too little money fighting poverty -- only 14% said it spends "too much."
*** Fully a fifth of those polled would be willing to spend at least $200 more a year in taxes to fight poverty.
*** 47% say that those in poverty are there because of "circumstances beyond their control," compared to 37% who blame "lack of effort." According to the authors, "Interestingly, a large majority of North Carolinians (68%), regardless of political persuasion, recognize the fact that most poor people in the state work but can't earn enough money."
*** Only 9% of those surveyed think the official poverty line of $19,000 a year is enough for a family of four to live on. Most surveyed thought a family income in the mid-20s was the bare minimum.
2 Comments:
Yeah, well they voted for the wrong people in November so too bad. As health care costs skyrocket, the deficit goes into the stratosphere, and programs for the poor are cut left and right while taxes for the ultra-rich are continually cut, they can wonder what they were thinking when they pulled the level for Bush and the GOP in 2004. We get what we deserve.
J.S.
http://voicesofreason.info
VOR,
You're undoubtedly right about our prospects of federal action on the issue of poverty as long as Bush is in office.
NC, however, voted in a Democratic governor and a Democratic legislature, so nothing is stopping the state from taking action.
Well, nothing except that Governor Mike Easley is a DLC-style pro-corporate Democrat. But I don't think he'd actually veto a Poverty Reduction act, either.
So there's still hope, if we can figure out who to address this to.
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