Americans are struggling as the cost of gas, groceries, housing, and other staple goods continue to take a toll on their personal finances.
This isn’t just an anecdote. Several recent polls show that the cost of living is a major concern for Americans all across the country.
A recent YouGov poll showed that 36% of Democrats and 37% of Republicans listed inflation as their top issue. This was also reflected in another recent poll from Gallup where 31% of respondents stated inflation was their top financial problem, with 55% saying their finances are getting worse. A CNBC poll from this month shows something even more startling; 51% of American adults say that right now the American Dream is currently out of reach for most people.
These polls reflect what we’ve been hearing on-the-ground in our communities for months. It’s why in response to these growing concerns, we launched our “Keep More of What You Earn” event series. These events are dedicated to bringing together activists, community leaders, and public officials to have honest conversations about this critical issue.
In Georgia, we hosted a mini town hall with state officials, in Wisconsin we organized a panel for a ballot question on taxes, and in Pennsylvania we held an event with local leaders to discuss the gas tax.
Finding solutions to the cost of living crisis has always been a core focus of Our America. We even released an issue paper detailing several ways our leaders can take action to help lower costs, while avoiding failed policies from the past.
There isn’t a quick solution, and a key component involves action from our public officials. In the meantime, we’ll continue to organize, educate, and empower our communities so they can continue to raise awareness and make an informed decision come Election Day.
