About two-thirds of Americans now believe there are “strong conflicts” between rich and poor in the United States, a survey by the Pew Research Center found, a sign that the message of income inequality brandished by the Occupy Wall Street movement and pressed by Democrats may be seeping into the national consciousness.
The share was the largest since 1992, and represented about a 50 percent increase from the 2009 survey, when immigration was seen as the greatest source of tension.
Important: This perception has increased sharply among white people, workers and independent voters.
Republican strategists have recognized this and devised branding to avoid having the party labeled as a cabal controlled by vulture capitalists. Mitt Romney hasn’t received the message, apparently, in blaming concerns on inequality on “envy” of successful sorts like himself, who made jillions putting people out of work.