Ask A Silly Question

The pollsters at Gallup present a result that baffles me based on a question that perplexes me:

Americans Oppose Income Redistribution to Fix Economy

by Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist

PRINCETON, NJ -- When given a choice about how government should address the numerous economic difficulties facing today's consumer, Americans overwhelmingly -- by 84% to 13% -- prefer that the government focus on improving overall economic conditions and the jobs situation in the United States as opposed to taking steps to distribute wealth more evenly among Americans.

Well, geez - was "Both of the above" an alternative?  I can't be sure it was the specific question asked, but as best I can tell, this poll tells us that a vast majority think that improving general economic conditions will do more to "fix the economy" (quoting their question as presented in the graphic) than will be achieved by a government attempt to redistribute income.  Personally, I would love to believe that this means that a vast majority "oppose" attempts to redistribute income, as per the Gallup headline, and that may be the case.  But I don't see how the Gallup analysts can get there from here - surely there are respondents that think that redistributing income is a meritorious venture, but that improving economic conditions is a more direct way to "fix the economy" (whatever the heck that means).

In the time-honored tradition of leaving no dead horse unbeaten let me suggest this hypothetical poll, if time hangs heavy for the Gallup pollsters: ask Yankee fans whether they would prefer to (a) see the Yankees beat the Mets at Shea on this final Sunday in June, or (b) see the Yankees win the World Series this October.

My guesses - an overwhelming majority of Yankee fans will hold out for the World Series win, but Gallup will not headline an article with "Yankee fans oppose victory over Mets".

Oh, well.  Don Surber whacks Obama; Will Wilkinson connects this to support for education reform:

This is consistent with other polling data I have seen that shows that even as the percentage of Americans who claim to be concerned about income inequality has risen (as income inequality has risen), support for redistributive programs has been more or less constant. What you see instead is increased support for educational reform, suggesting a widespread belief that the problem worth worrying about is the ability of people toward the bottom to gain the skills they need to be successful, not the fact that some small percentage of people are becoming really fantastically rich.

Oh, I do want to see Obama dragged into a chat about his long history with education reform, with Bill Ayers at his side, with whom Obama first teamed up in 1987. As if.

Comments

[Porchlight]

The tie in would be the CCR Philadelphia and Detroit-I'm sure he has some bootlickers working for him in those outfits and anything to make a connection to the Obama Campaign's "Bush Hate Express".

I think you nailed it Rich. What a charming ramp up to the Fourth.

[clarice]

bad, wilson was working with Beers ..Beers first defected to work with Kerry..shortly after Wilson did and his contact was Beers.

[RichatUF]

Porchlight-

What a charming ramp up to the Fourth.

I can only imagine what sort of trick they have up their sleeve for Bush on the 6th. I'm thinking something economic like another "rouge trader" triggering a big selloff while we're on our 3 day weekend. Another Hate Bush book doesn't seem to have the same kick that it once did...

[Elliott]

Happy anniversary, Ann!

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[Porchlight]

I can only imagine what sort of trick they have up their sleeve for Bush on the 6th.

Hadn't even thought about the 6th. Something pleasant no doubt. It's like a one-two punch for lefties. They must be so proud.

[HoosierHoops]

Happy anniversary, Ann!

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Posted by: Elliott
you cut right to the chase..
Ann. You've got to love this

[Ann]

Boy, do I!! :)

I love you Elliott and I love JOMers. Thanks.

[HoosierHoops]

Jane, Yes, my dad played for the N.Y. Giants.

that is so awesome!!you must be so proud..love to hear more.
I am so proud to say that my god father was an ex-49er great..
I grew up on the knee of someone so great..who really instilled great values..but to have a dad as a memeber of the giants? I am so friggen jealous and wants to hear every friggin story..every story..
kind regards Ann..

[Aaron]

So Barry's going to be pounding his fist on the table when he meets the Iranians?

Maybe he can take off a shoe to make an even more emphatic point or two.

[Ann]

HH,

You are very sweet to ask about my dad, but you know what, he along with me would think your son was the one to talk about. Your son is the hero...the celebrity that no one talks about in America. You are a great dad that made a great son. Tell me his stories.

His life is history making. My dad had a gift to be an athlete. Your son has the gift of God...serving someone higher than themselves.

[hit and run]

Ann:
I have been thinking of him all day and wonder how many arches he stopped at and how many beers he drank tonight. :)

Thanks! We're all settled in here. I don't have any pics yet or I would share how wonderfully peaceful this place is.

We only stopped at one McD's -- and that was just to get mrs hit and run a cheeseburger -- the kids had peanut butter and jelly.

Though it is a couple days later than your question, I had 10 beers last night.

Oh, and I've said before that my brother used to be a beer truck driver here, right? Anyway, his friend still works there, so we put in an order. Between the friendship and the quantity involved, we got the beer at cost.

I was disappointed, however, that the friend delivered the beer in his suburban, rather than the actual beer truck. I like the idea of the family get together requiring a beer truck delivery.

Trying to catch up on threads. Won't be able to read everything...I hope I don't miss anything important.

[centralcal]

"I hope I don't miss anything important."

If you simply scroll on by the multitudinous dreck from 89, you should be able to catch up and not miss anything important.

Happy vacation and beer drinking!

[hit and run]

Jane:
I don't remember who told me that - maybe cathy -or JMH - but whoever it was is a goddess for dummies as far as I'm concerned.

Harrumph. Behold your goddess!

[bad]

Hit

You'll always be a Goddess to me!!

[Jane]

Shouldn't you be vacationing Mr. Goddess?

[Ann]

Hi Hit!!!! Glad to hear you have a truck of beer (or should I say a suburban of beer?) and are having fun. Send pictures!! We miss ya.

[hit and run]

::smooches to all::

[bad]

::smooches to all::

Now that is worth swooning over....