Public Attitudes Toward Poverty

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Public Attitudes Toward Poverty
Guy MolyneuxDecember 2007
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Views On Government Assistance To The Poor
Source Pew Research Center, September 2005
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Highest Priorities For Federal Government
selecting each among their top two priorities
for government
All voters
Help more young people afford college Help
families escape poverty Educate people about
investing and managing their finances Reduce
taxes on families with children Help families
save or invest for the future Help more people be
able to buy a home Reduce income inequality
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Rich Vs Poor Effort Or Circumstances?
Which is more often the reason a person is rich?
Which is more often the reason a person is poor?
Good luck, circumstances beyond their control
Bad luck, circumstances beyond their control
Lack ofeffort
Strongeffort
Not sure
Not sure
Source Hart Research, November 2002
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Could We Eliminate Poverty?
If the govt were willing to spend whatever it
thought was necessary, could it eliminate poverty
in the U.S.?
YES, we could eliminate poverty
NO, we cannot eliminate poverty
Not sure
Source NPR/Kaiser Family Foundation/Kennedy
School, February 2001
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Role Of Government
Perceived More Important Role for Government
Provide a ladder of opportunity that helps people
achieve independence
Provide a safety net that provides support to
families in need
Provide both ladder and safety net equally
(Volunteered)
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Identifying Those In Need
Low-income workingfamilies w/kids Working
poor Poor children Senior citizens Poor
people People working theirway off
welfare Average taxpayer Middle class Families
with children People on welfare
73
72
70
66
65
63
60
55
49
34
Source Hart Research, March 2001
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Who Needs Help?
Describes me well
The working poor Workers struggling to make ends
meet Low-wage workers and their
families Low-income working families Low-wage
workers Workers living paycheck to
paycheck Working-class families The middle class
36 63 37 40 40 63 66 47
Proportion of all low-wage workers who say
selected phrases describe them well (rating of
6-10 on a scale of 1-10)
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The Haves And The Have-Nots
If you had to choose, which of these groups are
you in, the haves or the have-nots? (Among all
families)
Have-nots
Haves
Not sure/dont know/refused
Source Princeton Survey Research Associates,
February 2005
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Investment Theme Highly Favored
Investing in Kids Is Investing in America
When we help children grow and succeed, were
paving the way for our countrys next generation
of workers and leaders. Caring for Americas
children now will help us all in the long run,
because one day theyll be caring for us.
Supporting children isnt just the right thing to
do, it is one of the smartest investments we can
make for the nations future.

• Most popular message by wide margin. Key
  reasons
• Combines self-interest and altruism, projects the
  promise of a stronger society, implies reduced
  long-term costs.

Pay Now or Pay Later
Investing in children pays off for everyone in
the long run. For example, research shows that
every 1 spent now on preschool programs saves
our society 7 in future costs associated with
crime, health care, or remedial education. Its
better to invest a little now than pay much more
later
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Fairness and Opportunity Less Popular
We Can Afford to Help Children
America is the wealthiest nation in the history
of the world. Yet millions of American parents
work full time and are still poor, and millions
of parents and children lack health insurance.
Surely we can afford to help families get the
basics. Lets invest another 2 of our budget in
working families and their children, to build an
America that is both stronger and fairer.
Land of Opportunity
America is known as the land of opportunity,
where everyone has the potential to become what
and who they want to be. But millions of children
are denied real opportunity by poor education,
lack of health care, or inadequate nutrition.
Greater support for children and families will
ensure that every child grows up with an equal
opportunity to contribute to our economy and
achieve the American Dream.
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Strategic Recommendations

• Make the case that programs are an investment in
  America's future which benefit all Americans, not
  just low-income families.
• Make Boomers' retirement an argument for
  investment, not austerity.
• Emphasize that programs pay for themselves by
  reducing costs down the road, and advertise the
  effectiveness of these programs.

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Strategic Recommendations

• Dont assume public knowledge about programs and
  policies
• Cast problem as failing to address unmet needs
  (health care, education), not inadequate funding
  or spending
• Public may not see connections between revenue
  and spending that you do.

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Public Attitudes Toward Poverty
Guy MolyneuxDecember 2007
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Investment Themes

• Target low and moderate income working families,
  not just the poor.
• It must be a wise investment and/or reduce future
  costs.
• Provide incentives to work.
• Benefits shouldnt be free.