Tax the Rich, Take Your Hands Off Medicare: Overwhelming US Majority
A large majority of US citizens would like to see higher taxes on the rich and oppose cuts to Medicare as an answer to the US deficit, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Washington Post and ABC News.
Roughly sixty percent of those asked stated that they would like to see higher income taxes on those in higher income brackets -- $250,000 and greater.
Only 37 percent opposed a progressive tax system.
Those who answered with "strong" support for raising taxes on the rich were roughly double the number with "strong" opposition: 42 percent for vs. 23 percent against.
Seventy-three percent of Democrats and 63 percent of independents support higher taxes on the rich. 59 percent of Republicans oppose it.
Additionally two-thirds of Americans oppose a raise in Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as is proposed by many Republican lawmakers. Only 30 percent support it.
According to the Huffington Post, these numbers remain consistent with polls taken throughout the year. On Nov. 6, the same percentage of Americans sided with higher taxes on the wealthy, as well with a similar poll earlier in the year.
The poll arrives as lawmakers debate this week over next year's budget plan -- negotiating over public spending and taxation options. As politicians, along with corporate media outlets, raise fears over the so called "fiscal cliff," or sequestration that will occur if opposing forces don't make a "grand bargain," which could include potential cuts to Medicare and Social Security, the solutions provided by these national polls make clear what the majority of the American public would like to see happen instead.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
A large majority of US citizens would like to see higher taxes on the rich and oppose cuts to Medicare as an answer to the US deficit, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Washington Post and ABC News.
Roughly sixty percent of those asked stated that they would like to see higher income taxes on those in higher income brackets -- $250,000 and greater.
Only 37 percent opposed a progressive tax system.
Those who answered with "strong" support for raising taxes on the rich were roughly double the number with "strong" opposition: 42 percent for vs. 23 percent against.
Seventy-three percent of Democrats and 63 percent of independents support higher taxes on the rich. 59 percent of Republicans oppose it.
Additionally two-thirds of Americans oppose a raise in Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as is proposed by many Republican lawmakers. Only 30 percent support it.
According to the Huffington Post, these numbers remain consistent with polls taken throughout the year. On Nov. 6, the same percentage of Americans sided with higher taxes on the wealthy, as well with a similar poll earlier in the year.
The poll arrives as lawmakers debate this week over next year's budget plan -- negotiating over public spending and taxation options. As politicians, along with corporate media outlets, raise fears over the so called "fiscal cliff," or sequestration that will occur if opposing forces don't make a "grand bargain," which could include potential cuts to Medicare and Social Security, the solutions provided by these national polls make clear what the majority of the American public would like to see happen instead.
A large majority of US citizens would like to see higher taxes on the rich and oppose cuts to Medicare as an answer to the US deficit, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Washington Post and ABC News.
Roughly sixty percent of those asked stated that they would like to see higher income taxes on those in higher income brackets -- $250,000 and greater.
Only 37 percent opposed a progressive tax system.
Those who answered with "strong" support for raising taxes on the rich were roughly double the number with "strong" opposition: 42 percent for vs. 23 percent against.
Seventy-three percent of Democrats and 63 percent of independents support higher taxes on the rich. 59 percent of Republicans oppose it.
Additionally two-thirds of Americans oppose a raise in Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as is proposed by many Republican lawmakers. Only 30 percent support it.
According to the Huffington Post, these numbers remain consistent with polls taken throughout the year. On Nov. 6, the same percentage of Americans sided with higher taxes on the wealthy, as well with a similar poll earlier in the year.
The poll arrives as lawmakers debate this week over next year's budget plan -- negotiating over public spending and taxation options. As politicians, along with corporate media outlets, raise fears over the so called "fiscal cliff," or sequestration that will occur if opposing forces don't make a "grand bargain," which could include potential cuts to Medicare and Social Security, the solutions provided by these national polls make clear what the majority of the American public would like to see happen instead.