Voters under 40, flashing angry signs of socialism and financial frustration, would agree to a national salary cap and seizure of any wealth they see as “excess,” according to a startling series of surveys.
In polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports for the new StoppingSocialism.com campaign from the Heartland Institute, a third of younger voters think $1 million or less is enough income for any American, and “excess wealth” over that should be shared by less well-off citizens.
Some numbers just out:
— Among voters 18 to 39, 59% would support a law that imposes a maximum annual income cap for individuals.
— About a third, 28%, would set the income cap at between $100,000 and $1 million.
— Some 55% would support confiscating “excess wealth,” such as boats, second homes, and cars, to help them pay for a first home.
— Just over 60% of Democrats, 56% of Republicans, and 58% of independents under 40 at least somewhat support confiscating “excess wealth” to help young people.
“These results paint a sobering picture,” said Donald Kendal, director of the Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issues Center at the Heartland Institute and editor-in-chief of StoppingSocialism.com. “Young Americans are facing real financial pressures and housing insecurity, but what’s most concerning is that many are turning toward dangerous collectivist ideas as supposed solutions. The fact that more than half support wealth confiscation to buy homes shows just how far radical policies have penetrated mainstream thinking among voters under 40,” he said.
The Rasmussen findings build on a new Gallup survey that found support for capitalism at a 15-year low and socialism inching up to a 15-year high, led by Democrats.
“Americans overall continue to be skeptical of socialism, but Democrats are the exception. Since 2016, more Democrats have held positive views of socialism than of capitalism, with the gap expanding to 24 points today,” said Gallup’s Jeffery M. Jones.
In New York City, leading mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is a socialist who was just endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who also embraces socialist policies.
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The Heartland survey also found that younger voters supported diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, changes to the Constitution, and abolishing Congress and replacing it with a national citizens’ assembly.
“Young voters are not only embracing income redistribution and collectivist economics, but also expressing shocking support for dismantling America’s constitutional system and handing power to international organizations. These are radical views that strike at the heart of liberty and national sovereignty,” said Kendal.