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Poll: Little change in desire for action on inequality

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2013 file photo, window washers clean windows on a building in Washington. Interest in income inequality is at the forefront in public debate, with political figures from Sen. Elizabeth Warren on the left to Republican presidential prospect Jeb Bush on the right decrying the widening gap between the wealthy and everyone else. But Americans aren’t nearly as fascinated by the issue as their leaders seem to be. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2013 file photo, window washers clean windows on a building in Washington. Interest in income inequality is at the forefront in public debate, with political figures from Sen. Elizabeth Warren on the left to Republican presidential prospect Jeb Bush on the right decrying the widening gap between the wealthy and everyone else. But Americans aren’t nearly as fascinated by the issue as their leaders seem to be. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

By Associated Press March 19, 2015 1 min read

DENVER (AP) – Public figures from President Barack Obama to Republican presidential prospect Jeb Bush say they are worried about the gap between the rich and everyone else. But Americans’ desire for the government to combat income inequality isn’t growing.

One study finds just under half of Americans support government action against income inequality. That’s about the same as in the 1970s. The finding comes from the long-running General Social Survey, measuring trends in social values.

Support for combatting inequality actually dropped by 3 percentage points since 2012. It’s at its lowest recorded level among Republicans, with only 1 in 4 supporting action.

Analysts argue that voters may not be energized by the term “income inequality” but clearly want to do something. Other polls find strong support for proposals to tax the wealthy, for example.