A Program for the Poor is a Poor Program

A familiar saying in social welfare policy is: "A program for the poor is a poor program." That is, it will have a hard time getting political support if people think that the benefits flow to the poor instead of the middle class. And thus we can understand a major political problem for Obamacare. Gallup reports:

The majority of Americans believe the healthcare bill Congress is currently considering will benefit those who lack health insurance and lower-income families. Americans tend to see more negative than positive effects on most other groups in society, The findings that more Americans believe the new legislation will make things worse rather than better for the U.S. as a whole, as well as for them personally, are consistent with previous Gallup polls showing a slight negative tilt when Americans are asked if they support the new plan.