The WSJ/NBC poll results shown below, from the WSJ web site, are pretty
amazing. When asked to choose between a system that taxes wages & capital
income equally and one that didn't tax capital income at all, 41% chose the
first and an incredible 36% the second. This shows a deep internalization
of right-wing economics among the masses. The reasoning is no doubt that
lighter taxes on capital will create more jobs and growth. Either that, or
there's been a mass outbreak of masochism in America.
In jousting with callers on talk radio, I'm frequently attacked by mid- and
downscale people for being so hostile to wealth; invariably they argue that
rich people have "earned" their money. Obviously there needs to be great
prosyletizing, aimed at demonstrating the origins of profit and interest in
exploitation.
17a. Would you prefer a graduated income tax system, in which people with
higher incomes pay a higher tax rate, or a flat tax system, in which
everyone pays the same tax rate regardless of income?
1/96 9/95 4/21-25/95
Prefer graduated income tax system 54 57 56
Prefer flat tax system 41 38 40
Both equal (VOL) 1 1 1
Not sure 4 4 3
17b. Do you think that your own taxes would be higher, lower, or about the
same under a flat tax system? *
Taxes would be higher 22
Taxes would be lower 20
Taxes would be about the same 43
Depends (VOL) 3
Not sure 12
* Asked of one-half the respondents.
17c. Would you prefer an income tax system that taxes both income from
investments and income from wages equally, or a system with higher taxes on
income from wages but no taxes on income from investments?
1/96* 9/95 4/21-25/95
Prefer income tax system that taxes both income from 41 54 57
investments and income from wages equally
Prefer system with higher taxes on income from wages 36 30 32
but no taxes on income from investments
Depends (VOL) 3 - -
Both equal (VOL) 5 5 3
Not sure 15 11 8
* Asked of one-half the respondents.
Doug
--
Doug Henwood
Left Business Observer
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New York NY 10024-3217
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