Elites out of touch? Study shows the influential 1% hold different views from average Americans

[Vambram]

Elites out of touch? Study shows the influential 1% hold different views from average Americans

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?

justthenews.com

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?
When it comes to elitists in America, a recent study has shown that they are wildly out of touch with the average, everyday American people on a lot of issues such as freedom and the economy.
A project was recently conducted by prominent pollster Scott Rasmussen titled "Elite 1 Percent" goes into detail about who the one percent are and what their views are regarding American policies.
According to the project, the elite one percent live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree.

"Too much freedom"​

"The views and influence of the Elite 1% may be the root cause of the political toxicity in our nation today," Rasmussen wrote on the social media platform, X. "Their underlying attitudes reflect an implicit rejection of the ideal that governments derive their only just authority from the consent of the governed." Some of the basics that Rasmussen observed is that the "elites" identify as Democrats, by 73%, more than half of them being between the ages of 35 and 54.
Rasmussen found in his study that 47% of the elite one percent think that Americans have "too much freedom."
“The Elite 1% wield a tremendous amount of institutional power but are wildly out of touch with the nation they want to rule," he said.
“Over the years they have built institutions and mechanisms of regulatory power that are immune to the checks and balances of elections. Worse still, these same elites own, operate, and control a large majority of media outlets, blocking out the true voice of the American people and broadcasting their own out of touch viewpoints," he continued.

Another difference between everyday Americans and the elite one percent is that 70% of the elite trust the government to make the right decisions.

Trust in government​

In April of 2024, a study came out that said only about 22% of Americans trust the federal government.
"Trust in government began eroding during the 1960s, amid the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles," the Pew Research Center said in the report. "As of April 2024, 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time (21%) that report said.
Rasmussen posits that many of the elites are unaware of the thought gap between them and everyday American people.

 

[SimplyMe]

Elites out of touch? Study shows the influential 1% hold different views from average Americans

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?

justthenews.com

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?
When it comes to elitists in America, a recent study has shown that they are wildly out of touch with the average, everyday American people on a lot of issues such as freedom and the economy.
A project was recently conducted by prominent pollster Scott Rasmussen titled "Elite 1 Percent" goes into detail about who the one percent are and what their views are regarding American policies.
According to the project, the elite one percent live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree.

"Too much freedom"​

"The views and influence of the Elite 1% may be the root cause of the political toxicity in our nation today," Rasmussen wrote on the social media platform, X. "Their underlying attitudes reflect an implicit rejection of the ideal that governments derive their only just authority from the consent of the governed." Some of the basics that Rasmussen observed is that the "elites" identify as Democrats, by 73%, more than half of them being between the ages of 35 and 54.
Rasmussen found in his study that 47% of the elite one percent think that Americans have "too much freedom."
“The Elite 1% wield a tremendous amount of institutional power but are wildly out of touch with the nation they want to rule," he said.
“Over the years they have built institutions and mechanisms of regulatory power that are immune to the checks and balances of elections. Worse still, these same elites own, operate, and control a large majority of media outlets, blocking out the true voice of the American people and broadcasting their own out of touch viewpoints," he continued.

Another difference between everyday Americans and the elite one percent is that 70% of the elite trust the government to make the right decisions.

Trust in government​

In April of 2024, a study came out that said only about 22% of Americans trust the federal government.
"Trust in government began eroding during the 1960s, amid the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles," the Pew Research Center said in the report. "As of April 2024, 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time (21%) that report said.
Rasmussen posits that many of the elites are unaware of the thought gap between them and everyday American people.

I'm sure you mean this as a rant against the "liberal media" but realize this also includes all Republican, Conservative, and MAGA media, as well.

 

[Vambram]

I'm sure you mean this as a rant against the "liberal media" but realize this also includes all Republican, Conservative, and MAGA media, as well.

That OP article is not talking about only the media. It is speaking about all of "“The Elite 1% wield a tremendous amount of institutional power but are wildly out of touch with the nation they want to rule."

 

[SimplyMe]

That OP article is not talking about only the media. It is speaking about all of "“The Elite 1% wield a tremendous amount of institutional power but are wildly out of touch with the nation they want to rule."

That is an awfully broad interpretation of "Elite" -- anyone making over $150,000? And who would ever believe that people in cities tend to make more than people in small towns? (forgive my sarcasm here)

Of course, it is also interesting to me how it historically has been Republicans who believe "money equals speech" and that people should be able to donate all they want toward political campaigns. It has been Democrats who favored public funding of political campaigns, limiting particularly "dark money," where "elites" can give all the money they want to various political action committees and spend it on candidates.

I'll fully agree this type of thing is a problem, to the point that the US is almost an oligarchy run by the 1% of richest Americans. Unfortunately, I don't see either side willing to make changes, as both like all the money they get from "the Elite."

 

[FenderTL5]

That is an awfully broad interpretation of "Elite" -- anyone making over $150,000? And who would ever believe that people in cities tend to make more than people in small towns? (forgive my sarcasm here)

Of course, it is also interesting to me how it historically has been Republicans who believe "money equals speech" and that people should be able to donate all they want toward political campaigns. It has been Democrats who favored public funding of political campaigns, limiting particularly "dark money," where "elites" can give all the money they want to various political action committees and spend it on candidates.

I'll fully agree this type of thing is a problem, to the point that the US is almost an oligarchy run by the 1% of richest Americans. Unfortunately, I don't see either side willing to make changes, as both like all the money they get from "the Elite."

Agree.
Further, there is no metric that would indicate that the top1% extends down to 150K per year. Top 10% perhaps but the lowest figure I saw was in the plus 700K range with most saying it takes a million a year to be in the top 1% in the USA. linkage
I'd be willing to admit I'm wrong if it can be shown.. I just did a quick search.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Agree.
Further, there is no metric that would indicate that the top1% extends down to 150K per year. Top 10% perhaps but the lowest figure I saw was in the plus 700K range with most saying it takes a million a year to be in the top 1% in the USA. linkage
I'd be willing to admit I'm wrong if it can be shown.. I just did a quick search.

You seem to be confusing wealthy with elite.

It appears the pollster is looking at the people who wield actual power and influence within major urban centers as opposed people who just made good in life.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Elites out of touch? Study shows the influential 1% hold different views from average Americans

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?

justthenews.com

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?
When it comes to elitists in America, a recent study has shown that they are wildly out of touch with the average, everyday American people on a lot of issues such as freedom and the economy.
A project was recently conducted by prominent pollster Scott Rasmussen titled "Elite 1 Percent" goes into detail about who the one percent are and what their views are regarding American policies.
According to the project, the elite one percent live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree.

"Too much freedom"​

"The views and influence of the Elite 1% may be the root cause of the political toxicity in our nation today," Rasmussen wrote on the social media platform, X. "Their underlying attitudes reflect an implicit rejection of the ideal that governments derive their only just authority from the consent of the governed." Some of the basics that Rasmussen observed is that the "elites" identify as Democrats, by 73%, more than half of them being between the ages of 35 and 54.
Rasmussen found in his study that 47% of the elite one percent think that Americans have "too much freedom."
“The Elite 1% wield a tremendous amount of institutional power but are wildly out of touch with the nation they want to rule," he said.
“Over the years they have built institutions and mechanisms of regulatory power that are immune to the checks and balances of elections. Worse still, these same elites own, operate, and control a large majority of media outlets, blocking out the true voice of the American people and broadcasting their own out of touch viewpoints," he continued.

Another difference between everyday Americans and the elite one percent is that 70% of the elite trust the government to make the right decisions.

Trust in government​

In April of 2024, a study came out that said only about 22% of Americans trust the federal government.
"Trust in government began eroding during the 1960s, amid the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles," the Pew Research Center said in the report. "As of April 2024, 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time (21%) that report said.
Rasmussen posits that many of the elites are unaware of the thought gap between them and everyday American people.

You started a thread about this in January and Scott Rasmussen’s definition of “elite” is just as asinine now as it was then.

 

[iluvatar5150]

You seem to be confusing wealthy with elite.

It appears the pollster is looking at the people who wield actual power and influence within major urban centers as opposed people who just made good in life.

No, that isn’t what he’s looking at. He’s looking at educated professionals who live in cities.

 

[BCP1928]

No, that isn’t what he’s looking at. He’s looking at educated professionals who live in cities.

If the influential elites hold different views than the "average American" then they must not be all that influential.

 

[rambot]

Apparently controlling our income and costs is getting confused with controlling our minds.

 

[FireDragon76]

Agree.
Further, there is no metric that would indicate that the top1% extends down to 150K per year. Top 10% perhaps but the lowest figure I saw was in the plus 700K range with most saying it takes a million a year to be in the top 1% in the USA. linkage
I'd be willing to admit I'm wrong if it can be shown.. I just did a quick search.

150,00 per year is more like the top 5-10 percent. Not 1 percent. $150,000 is upper middle class. Well above average income, but those people aren't necessarily Democrats. In fact, many making that kind of money are Republicans.

 

[iluvatar5150]

150,00 per year is more like the top 5-10 percent. Not 1 percent. $150,000 is upper middle class.

And in the expensive urban areas that Rasmussen is targeting, it's not even that.

 

[AlexB23]

Elites out of touch? Study shows the influential 1% hold different views from average Americans

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?

justthenews.com

According to the project, the elite one percent who influence media narratives live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree. But for whom do they speak?
When it comes to elitists in America, a recent study has shown that they are wildly out of touch with the average, everyday American people on a lot of issues such as freedom and the economy.
A project was recently conducted by prominent pollster Scott Rasmussen titled "Elite 1 Percent" goes into detail about who the one percent are and what their views are regarding American policies.
According to the project, the elite one percent live in densely populated urban areas, make over $150K a year and have a postgraduate degree.

"Too much freedom"​

"The views and influence of the Elite 1% may be the root cause of the political toxicity in our nation today," Rasmussen wrote on the social media platform, X. "Their underlying attitudes reflect an implicit rejection of the ideal that governments derive their only just authority from the consent of the governed." Some of the basics that Rasmussen observed is that the "elites" identify as Democrats, by 73%, more than half of them being between the ages of 35 and 54.
Rasmussen found in his study that 47% of the elite one percent think that Americans have "too much freedom."
“The Elite 1% wield a tremendous amount of institutional power but are wildly out of touch with the nation they want to rule," he said.
“Over the years they have built institutions and mechanisms of regulatory power that are immune to the checks and balances of elections. Worse still, these same elites own, operate, and control a large majority of media outlets, blocking out the true voice of the American people and broadcasting their own out of touch viewpoints," he continued.

Another difference between everyday Americans and the elite one percent is that 70% of the elite trust the government to make the right decisions.

Trust in government​

In April of 2024, a study came out that said only about 22% of Americans trust the federal government.
"Trust in government began eroding during the 1960s, amid the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles," the Pew Research Center said in the report. "As of April 2024, 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time (21%) that report said.
Rasmussen posits that many of the elites are unaware of the thought gap between them and everyday American people.

I agree with you, but it is not the top 1% we must worry about, it is the folks who are decamillionaires to billionaires that we have to worry about. They pollute the Earth (The Guardian), evade taxes (New York Post), and 81 of the world's richest people - about a bus-full - have more combined wealth than the poorest four billion people in the world (BBC). All we must do is pray for these people, that the billionaires change their ways. Politicians, regardless of political view can be easily swayed by the money of these billionaires.


From the left:

Billionaires are out of touch and much too powerful. The planet is in trouble | Rebecca Solnit

The 1% aren’t just the biggest climate wreckers, they also greatly influence how the world responds to the crisis, says Guardian US columnist Rebecca Solnit

www.theguardian.com

From the center:

Timing, luck or talent - what makes a billionaire?

Are billionaires good or bad for society - or simply very very rich? The BBC's Simon Jack investigates.

www.bbc.com

From the right:

Why so many billionaires are fleeing to Teton County, Wyoming

John Truett made millions as an oil and gas CEO, but since moving to Teton County, Wyoming — an area inhabited by an increasing number of wealthy transplants like himself — his biggest passion has …

nypost.com

 

[BCP1928]

150,00 per year is more like the top 5-10 percent. Not 1 percent. $150,000 is upper middle class. Well above average income, but those people aren't necessarily Democrats. In fact, many making that kind of money are Republicans.

What's discouraging is that $150 K is enough to put anybody into the top 5-10 percent.

 

[trophy33]

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the national threshold for being in the top 10% of household incomes in 2021 was $191,406 per year...

The national top 10% income figure of $191,406 represents the 90th percentile across all age groups combined. But when you break it down by age, a more nuanced picture emerges:

• Under 35: $122,000
• 35-44: $210,000
• 45-54: $255,000
• 55-64: $250,000
• 65-74: $188,000
• 75 and older: $128,000

...In addition to age, geographic location plays a major role in determining what qualifies as a top 10% income. The cost of living varies drastically across the United States, so the income required to be an elite earner changes accordingly. For example, California’s top 10% income threshold is $341,276 per year.

Do You Rank Among The Top 10% Of Earners? Here's A Look At What Income You Need Based On Age

Your unique situation — cost of living, debt, family size, and career stage — determines your income level to meet your goals. However, understanding income percentiles offers a way to gauge your relative standing. The number that often piques curiosity is the income required to be among the top...

finance.yahoo.com

 

[trophy33]

The average income for individuals in the top 1% of earners in the United States is approximately $819,324 per year as of the latest data from 2021.

How Much Income Puts You in the Top 1%, 5%, 10%?

It takes an income of at least six figures to be in the top 10%, 5%, or 1% of earners. But the threshold to be a top earner is lower in some states than others.

www.investopedia.com

 

[FenderTL5]

It appears the pollster is looking at the people who wield actual power and influence within major urban centers..

If that's the case then the study is even further flawed.

Someone in the 150K tax bracket would likely be influential in a rural area or small town.
Even in a state like Tennessee, those living in the major urban centers, such as Nashville (where I live), 150K would be comfortable mid/upper middle class. Perhaps upper 25% but not close to the 1%.

And in the expensive urban areas that Rasmussen is targeting, it's not even that.

Agree.150K (here) may get you a comfortable home and a decent car but it's not gonna put you in any circle of actual influence.

 

[Hazelelponi]

If that's the case then the study is even further flawed.

Someone in the 150K tax bracket would likely be influential in a rural area or small town.
Even in a state like Tennessee, those living in the major urban centers, such as Nashville (where I live), 150K would be comfortable mid/upper middle class. Perhaps upper 25% but not close to the 1%.


Agree.150K (here) may get you a comfortable home and a decent car but it's not gonna put you any in circle of actual influence.

I think when you look at professors or teachers you are looking as low as this range in some cities. I almost see this as skewing that low to include them.

 

[FenderTL5]

I think when you look at professors or teachers you are looking as low as this range in some cities. I almost see this as skewing that low to include them.

If school teachers in Tennessee held any political influence they wouldn't be so poorly paid.
In Tennessee, the average salary for a teacher in 2024 is $50,211 per year, or about $24.14 per hour. However, salaries can range from $21,783 to $73,971, with the majority of teachers earning between $40,800 and $56,300. The top 10% of earners (in teaching) make $64,894 annually.
You'd have to extend that range way down to include teachers and to suggest that teachers are part of the elite 1% is a preposterous notion.

 

[Hazelelponi]

If school teachers in Tennessee held any political influence they wouldn't be so poorly paid.

St. Louis is a major urban center and pays less, the cost of living is lower there. Also - how much does DC pay?

House representatives don't make much more than 150 a year and many of them have post graduate degrees.

What about their interns and workers... What about judges, prosecutors?

I think if your looking for these types of people you have to drop the income to 150 to include them across multiple cities.