Working American Dream: Foundation for the New Progressive Majority

June 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Working American Dream – quality health care, good jobs and educational opportunity -- is the foundation for the new progressive majority. Workers are looking to government to play an active role in turning this economy around and renewing the American Dream, yet they remain skeptical of the effectiveness of government and the commitment of politicians to represent the interests of working families, according to a new survey conducted by Lake Research Partners and released today at the “America’s Future Now” conference.

“We have seen a fundamental shift against the right-wing view of less government among working Americans to strong support for effective government action to renew the American Dream,” said pollster Celinda Lake. “For the majority of working Americans, effective government regulation and corporate accountability are crucial to rebuilding our economy.”

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The majority of workers (65 percent) still believe the American Dream is realistic, but see it as under attack. Due to great economic distress and anxiety, a stunning majority of Americans (52 percent) fear that someone in their family or a friend will lose their health insurance in the next year, and even more (58 percent) fear a family member or friend will lose their job. Moreover, two-thirds think it will be harder for the next generation to achieve the Dream.

Working Americans point the finger of blame specifically at corporate greed and its stranglehold on government for the decline of the American Dream and they are looking to Congress to take action on the American Dream agenda. While President Obama remains hugely popular (65 percent favorable) among workers, corporate CEOs and Republicans in Congress receive strikingly high disapproval ratings of 64 percent and 52 percent respectively. Though Democrats in Congress are viewed as more favorable (49 percent), their job approval ratings are mostly characterized as “fair.”

In order to win over the emerging progressive majority among America’s workers, Congress must implement an effective action agenda that includes cracking down on corporations that outsource good jobs (83 percent), creating a more progressive tax system (81 percent), encouraging and enforcing fairness in the workplace (83 percent), and providing quality, affordable health care ( 80 percent). They also want an end to the hedge fund loophole (75 percent), require large employers provide for health care (82 percent), and invest in green manufacturing and infrastructure projects to create new jobs (85 percent).

“America’s workers are demanding action now on an agenda for change,” said Change to Win chair Anna Burger. “Workers want an effective and active government that will implement comprehensive health care reform, strong energy policies, and educational opportunities for workers new and old. This is the year we make our elected officials accountable for the promises they made when we voted for them.”

Source: Change to Win