Some 60 percent of Americans believe that government action is necessary to narrow the growing gap between the wealthy and the poor. The response to a question in the latest
Washington Post-ABC News poll comes as statistics show that income disparity is at levels not seen since the Great Depression.
The poll also found that 61 percent felt that the gap between the rich and poor was greater than in the past. While most Republicans oppose government action to redress the disparity, Democrats and independents support such action, the Post reported.
Both high- and low-income Americans agree on the existence of the gap, but support for government action mostly comes from those with lower income. Some 75 percent of those earning less than $20,000 a year support government action.
Belief that the income gap is larger than it has been historically is high among those who support the Occupy Wall Street movement with nearly 75 percent agreeing and almost 80 percent wanting government action.
However, a majority of tea party backers also see a growing divide but fewer than half support government action, the Post reported.
Both movements gain the support of four in 10 Americans, the poll showed.
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