The Public Religion Research Institute has recently released a PRRI/RNS Religion News Survey (here) measuring public support of the Tea Party Movement compared to Occupy Wall Street as well as the public's views on the current state of the American economy. On the one hand, the report reveals a deep, expected divide between Democrats and Republicans concerning the OWS and TPM movements. Republicans, in particular, display significant support for the Tea Party and antipathy towards Occupy Wall Street. On the other hand, a solid majority of Americans are not interested in either movement but do have a real concern for the gap between rich and poor and the state of the economy. This majority, that is, cares about the poor and the economy but is not looking for radical solutions to either problem and support common sense ones instead. They favor raising taxes on the wealthy 1% and making large corporations contribute more. It thus seems only a matter of time until the public wakes up and starts electing moderates from both parties to Congress, sending them to Washington to make common sense compromises aimed at both reducing poverty and the debt. We have to stop sending ideological wackos to Washington. That's a prayer. Amen.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
OWS, TPM, & Us
The Public Religion Research Institute has recently released a PRRI/RNS Religion News Survey (here) measuring public support of the Tea Party Movement compared to Occupy Wall Street as well as the public's views on the current state of the American economy. On the one hand, the report reveals a deep, expected divide between Democrats and Republicans concerning the OWS and TPM movements. Republicans, in particular, display significant support for the Tea Party and antipathy towards Occupy Wall Street. On the other hand, a solid majority of Americans are not interested in either movement but do have a real concern for the gap between rich and poor and the state of the economy. This majority, that is, cares about the poor and the economy but is not looking for radical solutions to either problem and support common sense ones instead. They favor raising taxes on the wealthy 1% and making large corporations contribute more. It thus seems only a matter of time until the public wakes up and starts electing moderates from both parties to Congress, sending them to Washington to make common sense compromises aimed at both reducing poverty and the debt. We have to stop sending ideological wackos to Washington. That's a prayer. Amen.
