(CNN) When it comes to considering the top political issues facing the country -- immigration, health care and gun control among them -- politicians in Congress can give the impression that the public is hopelessly divided on policy solutions.

In reality, the polling shows the majority of the public usually backs policy positions preferred by the Democratic Party.

A new Gallup poll released Thursday showed that two-thirds of Americans said protecting the environment should be a higher priority than economic growth and only three-in-10 who said economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent. This is the highest prioritizing of the environment since spring 2000.

Eight-in-10 Democrats and 71% of independents prioritize environmental protection, versus 35% of Republicans who said the same.

Another poll out this week by Pew Research Center found that Americans' biggest frustration regarding the country's tax system isn't the amount they pay, but that corporations and the wealthy don't pay their fair share.

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