The Middle Class Conundrum
This conversation is part of a larger look at findings from a Public Agenda/WNYC poll of residents in the NY Metro area. Head here for more insight into public opinions on government, policing, inequality, and what matters most.
Many people in the New York City area who consider themselves part of the middle class are feeling stuck in the face of rising costs, stagnating wages, and rising inequality.
That’s according to a new poll conducted by Public Agenda and WNYC. Throughout the week, we’ll be rolling out different themes, questions, and stories emerging from these poll results in an effort to contextualize the issues informing voters’ decisions.
Today’s focus: the middle class pursuit of happiness. Here are a few findings that stood out to us:
Will Friedman, the president of Public Agenda, and Carolin Hagelskamp, vice president and director of research for Public Agenda, joins to discuss these findings and what they say about our complex attitudes toward government and the wealthy.
.@PublicAgenda/@WNYC poll findings: 74% say middle class is more insecure than ever 65% say income gap btwn rich/others is serious problem
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) October 12, 2015
2/3 of residents in NY metro area say inequality is a real problem #NYMetroSurvey @BrianLehrer http://t.co/9jBbfsDnd4
— PublicAgenda (@PublicAgenda) October 12, 2015
No!!!! @BrianLehrer when will people stop believing in Ronald Reagans lie of "trickle down economics" #maximumwage
— Travis Rix (@travisrix) October 12, 2015
@BrianLehrer @PublicAgenda @WNYC yes! we are living by an agenda set out by 158 American families.
— michelle rogers (@mmfrog) October 12, 2015
.@WNYC/@PublicAgenda #NYAreaSurvey: New York Metro Area State of Mind http://t.co/SaTXfMPZb4 Now on @BrianLehrer pic.twitter.com/iXLiov6akz
— PublicAgenda (@PublicAgenda) October 12, 2015
@BrianLehrer It's OK for rich to get richer as long as all voices hold equal weight in government, which they clearly do not.
— Virginia Rietz (@ginzinger) October 12, 2015
Carolin Hagelskamp and @wkfriedman from @PublicAgenda will be back every day this week to discuss poll findings. pic.twitter.com/bKqeqTyEDU
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) October 12, 2015
Putting human faces to the numbers --> affordability a big issue for many in tri-state area: (@brigidbergin) http://t.co/6T0459Y41U
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) October 12, 2015
