A new survey from Public Policy Polling (PPP) shows that Occupy Wall Street, also known as the 99 Percent Movement, now has much more public support than the Tea Party. The PPP poll of 1,000 American adults shows that 27% have a “very positive” or “somewhat positive” view of the Tea Party, compared to 44% who have a “somewhat negative” or “very negative” view. In contrast, 32% have a “very positive” or “somewhat positive” view of Occupy Wall Street, compared to just 35% who have a “somewhat negative” or “very negative” view. Those results already show an advantage for the 99 Percent Movement, but the support grows once Occupy Wall Street is described with the following statement:
“The current economic structure of the country is out of balance and favors a very small proportion of the rich over the rest of the country. America needs to reduce the power of major banks and corporations and demand greater accountability and transparency. The government should not provide financial aid to corporations and should not provide tax breaks to the rich.”
When asked if they agree with that statement, 60% of respondents said they “strongly agree.” Another 16% “mildly agree,” compared with just 12% who “mildly disagree” or “strongly disagree.” Over the last year, Tea Party-backed Republicans have obstructed attempts by Democrats to end corporate tax breaks and to allow the Bush tax cuts for the rich to expire. Occupy Wall Street has generally favored an end of all corporate tax breaks, and more government oversight for large businesses.
The Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street Movement have been compared to each other ever since Occupy Wall Street became a national story. Both share disgust with the federal bailout given to large corporations, but from that point the two movements differ greatly. The 99 Percent Movement is greatly concerned with growing income inequality in America, whereas the Tea Party believes that such inequality is natural, necessary, and in some case even beneficial. Many Occupy Wall Street protesters would support a higher income tax rate on the richest Americans, but Tea Party members generally call that “socialism” or “wealth redistribution.”
Comments