Polls put inflation and rising violence at the top of the list of problems voters are asking Democrats and Republicans to solve
US citizens point to their top concerns ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections. According to the latest polls, the issues that have most preoccupyed voters, but also others, such as abortion and immigration, are the economy severely affected by the war in Ukraine and the increase in violence in the country. The position of Democrats and Republicans in this regard will make its mark in the polls today.
Inflation
Concerns about the economic situation in the United States are growing among households. And the war has had a lot of influence in this area in particular. In recent months, concerns have grown over the rising prices of consumer goods and the uncertainty of each family as to whether they can make ends meet. Republicans have echoed these concerns, and during the campaign they have taken advantage of repeatedly blaming Democrats for the rampant rise in fuel prices, a factor of extreme importance in a country accustomed to getting around by car.
According to a Gallup poll, 37% of voters thought their biggest concern was inflation last May, nearly two months after war broke out in Ukraine. But in October, the figure jumped to 46%. The percentage is even higher in the latest survey published Sunday by ABC News and The Washington Post, which found that 77% of citizens believe it is essential to fight rising prices. The CPI has risen since 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic shook the world. At the time it was 1.4%, but a year later it rose to 7% and this year it stands at 8.2%. Transport (12.6%) and food (10.8) are the sectors that have increased the most compared to culture (4.1%) and education (3.1%), which have barely seen prices rise . Biden has promised Americans “to do whatever it takes” to curb inflation.
crime
Crime, the increase in violence and gun control, especially as a result of mass shootings both in schools and in other locations such as supermarkets or the middle of the street, is one of the major concerns of the American electorate. 69% think it is a very important issue for the ruling party, according to the latest poll by ‘ABC News’ and ‘The Washington Post’. Respondents were also asked which formation holds a position closest to theirs regarding the country’s internal security. While 38% support Democrats (up three points from February), 36% support Republicans (15 percentage points more). However, insecurity has become a huge burden for the Biden party, which has failed to deliver on any of its promises against the rise in crime, largely because the war in Ukraine and the economic crisis have kept it busy. There were more than 200 mass shootings in the US in the first four months of this year, and robberies and attacks have become an unbearable scourge in cities like Baltimore or San Francisco, where they have quadrupled.
abortion
In recent months, pregnancy interruption has made headlines in the North American press after the United States Supreme Court revoked the right to abortion in the country last June and returned that power to the United States, which has 13 automatically made it illegal (like Missouri or Mississippi) and others restricted it. Since then, many women have been forced to travel to another state to interrupt their pregnancies, and this fact will weigh heavily in Tuesday’s parliamentary elections. 62% of voters think this topic is important, of which 40% think it is very important.
Immigration
The immigration issue is a headache in the United States, where even former Republican President Donald Trump pushed for a wall on the border with Mexico to prevent the illegal transit of people from one side to the other. According to the latest survey by ABC News and The Washington Post, 59% of citizens are concerned about this and confirm that this issue is important. Of this number, 50% think it is very important. Republicans made a banner of this issue during the election campaign, accusing Biden of being too “soft” with his immigration policy. The president wants to promote reform at the border with Mexico to speed up asylum, but after today’s midterm elections. It would require the support of both Houses, which would be very complicated if the Republicans win.
political violence
The American giant has serious problems and the parties accuse each other of creating them or not solving them. Political resentment can reach the electorate and succumb to confrontation. This is one of the fears of citizens, according to surveys, which show that 88% are concerned that political divisions will increase to such an extent that there is a greater risk of political violence. Where is the problem? 31% of voters blame the Republican side for inciting violence, while 25% think the Democrats are to blame. However, there is 32% who blame both parties equally.
Climate change
Climate change has devastating consequences for the global economy, health and the environment. That’s according to a 1,656-page report that former Republican President Donald Trump shot without a second thought two years ago. “I don’t believe it,” he admitted at the time. He doesn’t seem to be concerned about this situation, but the citizens are. At least 48% of them, of which 36% think it is a very important problem. This percentage of voters tends more towards the Democratic position. In that sense, the Senate passed a major climate change bill last August, based on an ambitious plan by President Joe Biden, which would invest about $370,000 million to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
Source: La Verdad
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