Americans have more in common than not

Reading this page and its online counterpart, it’s easy to get the impression that we are a very divided country. And in many ways we are. But, surprisingly, we share more common ground than I suspected.

I just read “The Price of Civilization” by economist Jeffery Sachs. In it, he notes the following, as determined by polling:

• Income differences are too large — 72 percent agree

• Government must see that no one is without food, clothing or shelter — 68 percent

• Government should spend whatever’s necessary to ensure that all children have really good public schools — 87 percent

• My tax dollars should be used to help pay for early childhood education — 81 percent

• My tax dollars should be used help pay to retrain people whose jobs have been eliminated — 80 percent

• It is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure that all Americans have health care coverage — 73 percent

• One should find ways to help others less fortunate than oneself — 95 percent

• Government should redistribute wealth by heavy taxes on the rich — 56 percent

• Our society should do what is necessary to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed — 87 percent

• There is too much power concentrated in the hands of a few big businesses — 77 percent

• Federal government should regulate greenhouse gases from sources like power plants, etc. to reduce global warming — 71 percent

Most Americans still believe in hard work, a hand up rather than a hand out, and that individuals should make the maximum effort to help themselves.

Now we need to get the politicians on board.

BOB WYNHAUSEN

Sandpoint