U.S. public more concerned with growth

U.S. residents are more concerned with economic growth than with narrowing the gap between rich and poor, a poll released Friday indicated. Four out of five, 82 percent, of those surveyed said economic growth is important, the Gallup Organization reported. Seventy percent said creating equal opportunities is important and 46 percent cited cutting the wealth gap. Slightly more than half, 52 percent, agreed that "the fact that some people in the United States are rich and others are poor" is acceptable. There were sharp partisan differences. While 72 percent of Democrats say it is important to have a more equal economy, only 43 percent of independents and 21 percent of Republicans agree. But those identifying with both parties and independents said economic growth is important. Gallup interviewed 1,012 adults by telephone Nov. 28-Dec. 1. The poll has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.