By Taylor Maag
Americans’ views on the economy differ dramatically depending on which side of the diploma divide they fall on. A new comprehensive survey of working-class voters from my organization, Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), finds that working Americans believe they are worse off than they were 40 years ago.
The poll, done in partnership with YouGov, surveyed a representative national sample of voters without a four-year college degree and oversampled in seven key battleground states. The responses revealed that these workers feel like life has gotten harder for them, yet they believe national political leaders, and Democrats in particular, are more concerned about college graduates. It is one of the main reasons why these voters, who once formed the backbone of the Democratic Party, have become estranged from it.
For example, those surveyed overwhelmingly see the Biden administration’s push for student loan forgiveness as unfair to the majority of U.S. workers, who, like them, do not hold a four-year degree or the associated debt. Instead, these voters care much more about career-oriented opportunities. When asked about what is most likely to help working people get ahead, 74% stated the need for increased public investment in apprenticeships and career pathways to help non-college workers acquire better skills. Additionally, when asked what they believe would help most when it comes to having a good job and career, roughly 50% said affordable, short-term training programs that combine work and learning. Only 9% said they viewed college as the best way for them to get ahead.
This story was originally published in The Messenger on December 5, 2023.
