DATA
Enter
HUFFINGTON
07.01-08.12
Something We Can’t Agree On
Public support for a government social safety net is nearing the 25-year lows seen in 1994.
Data from the Pew American Values Survey show that just 43 percent of people believe the
government should help more needy people, even if it means going further into debt, down from
54 percent five years ago. Republicans and Democrats have always held differing opinions
on programs to aid the poor, but the party gap is currently larger than ever. — Johanna Barr
It is the responsibility of the
government to take care of
people who can’t take care of
themselves
100%
1992
1997
2002
2007
2012 1987
1992
1997
2002
2007
The government should
guarantee every citizen
enough to eat and a place
to sleep
2012 1987
1992
1997
2002
2007
2012
100%
90%
90%
80%
80%
70%
70%
60%
60%
50%
50%
40%
40%
30%
20%
100%
INFOGRAPHIC BY MICHAEL NEWHOUSE
1987
The government should
help more needy people
even if it means going
deeper in debt
PARTY
% AGREE
SEX
% AGREE
30%
AGE
% AGREE
20%
100%
90%
90%
80%
80%
70%
70%
60%
60%
50%
50%
40%
40%
30%
20%
RACE
% AGREE
1987
1992
EDUCATION
% AGREE
1997
2002
2007
2012 1987
1992
1997
30%
INCOME
% AGREE
2002
2007
2012 1987
1992
1997
2002
2007
2012
Graphic is based on data from the American Values Survey, conducted by The Pew Research Center For The People & The Press over the past 25 years.
INFOGRAPHIC BY MICHAEL NEWHOUSE
20%