Divided Views of Gov't Aid to Poor % saying
Opinions on the impact of government assistance to the poor are even more partisan than views on the fairness of the economic system and hard work and achievement. Overall, the public is split with 44% saying government aid to the poor “does more harm than good by making people too dependent on government assistance,” while about as many (49%) say it does “more good than harm because people can’t get out of poverty until their basic needs are met.” Republicans, by 71% to 24%, say government aid to the poor does more harm than good. Democrats take the opposite view and by a nearly identical margin (74% to 21%), say aid to the poor does more good than harm.
A majority of those with family incomes of less than $30,000 a year (58%) say government aid to the poor does more good than harm. People in higher income groups are more divided.
Divided Views of Gov't Aid to Poor  | % saying  | Govt aid to poor  | Govt aid to poor  | does more harm  | does more good  | than good  | than harm  | Total  | 49  | 44  | $100k+  | 50  | 46  | $75K-6100k  | 49  | 46  | $30-$75K  | 50  | 44  | <$30k  | 33  | 58  | Republican  | 24  | Democrat  | 21  | 74  | Indep end ent  | 46  | 46  | Survey conducted Feb 18-22, 2015.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 