Rasmussen Survey on Tax Cuts vs. Government Spending
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement… it’s always better to cut taxes than to increase government spending because taxpayers, not bureaucrats, are the best judges of how to spend their money?
- Agree 62% (53%)
- Disagree 20% (24%)
In terms of economic policy, is a dollar of tax cuts always better than a dollar of public spending?
- Yes 50% (41%)
- No 25% (33%)
When it comes to economic policy and creating jobs, do you agree or disagree with the following statement: public spending provides much more bang for the buck than tax cuts?
- Agree 25% (31%)
- Disagree 50% (42%)
Survey of 1,000 adults was conducted August 20-21. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted January 26-27 are in parentheses.
Inside the numbers:
Women are more likely than men to prefer government spending over tax cuts. Investors favor cutting taxes more than non-investors.
Republicans are almost twice as likely as Democrats to think that taxpayers are the best judges of how to spend their own money. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of adults not affiliated with either party agree.
While two-thirds (67%) of Republicans and the plurality (49%) of unaffiliateds say a dollar of tax cuts is always better than a dollar of public spending, Democrats are evenly divided on the question.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
U.S. Investor Optimism Rises to Highest Level of the Year
Investors are more optimistic about their portfolios; less pessimistic about the economy
http://www.gallup.com/poll/122585/Investor-Optimism-Rises-Highest-Level-Year.aspx?version=print
August 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Why the deficit will raise taxes
http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/27/news/economy/deficit_taxes/
August 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
People support small government in the abstract, but opposed spending cuts on defense, Medicare, education, and so forth. That’s why Republicans always choke when they actually try to cut spending for real.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
The wording on this poll, reads like something straight from the RNC. Of course you’re going to get numbers like that.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
This is like putting out a poll that asks ” Do you support tax-cuts for the filthy rich or do you think we should help the hard working poor?”
August 28th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
What’s salient in these numbers is the trajectory. They’re moving in the right direction as the perception spreads that government spending, debt, and money creation are careening wildly out of control, and carrying us closer to the abyss.
August 28th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Flip is right – Americans like small government – until the government wants to cut their social security check, or their Medicare, or education funding, etc.
August 28th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Kris #2
Good article, with a basic explanation of the deficit’s effect on taxes.
On the same page is a link to a story about how the MegaMillions lottery is up to $333 million. Perhaps the govt should start buying lottery tickets?
August 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
#8 Jake,
More high risk gambling with our money, by the government? No thanks.
August 28th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Tax Pledge Is a Target As Deficits, Debt Grow
Obama Advisers Will Not Rule Out Broad-Based Hike
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/28/AR2009082803526_pf.html
US wants 20,000 more troops to fight Taliban
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/us-wants-20000-more-troops-to-fight-taliban-1778947.html
August 29th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Yeah, great leading questions. Well said, John Mark.