As Wealth Gap Grows, 60 Percent of Americans Say Lopsided Distribution 'Unfair'

As the gap between the rich and poor in the U.S. continues to grow with more and more wealth being held by fewer people, 63 percent of Americans say that this distribution is unfair, according to a new Gallup survey (pdf) published Monday.

Additionally, 52 percent of respondents say that the problem of inequality should be solved with “heavy taxes on the rich,” a proportion that has risen from 45 percent since Gallup first began asking that question in 1998.

Based on the response to both questions, Gallup concludes that roughly half (46%) of all Americans are “strong redistributionists,” and thus believe that the government should have a hand in shifting the disproportionate distribution of wealth away from the top one-percent of earners.