Writers on economics have been talking since the election about why the “fiscal cliff” metaphor is misleading. Alternative metaphors have been offered like the fiscal hill, fiscal curb, and fiscal showdown, as if one metaphor could easily be replaced by another that makes more sense of the real situation. But […] Read more »
Americans Widely Prefer Compromise on Fiscal Cliff
Sixty-two percent of Americans would like to see federal government leaders compromise on an agreement to avoid the “fiscal cliff” budget measures set to go into effect next month, more than twice the 25% who want leaders to stick to their principles on spending cuts and tax increases. … Americans […] Read more »
Pessimism About Fiscal Cliff Deal, Republicans Still Get More Blame
With Washington making little apparent progress in efforts to avoid going over the “fiscal cliff,” public opinion about the situation has changed little over the past three weeks. … Four-in-ten (40%) expect that the president and congressional Republicans will reach a deal by Jan. 1 to prevent automatic tax increases […] Read more »
Poll Shows Ambivalence on Fiscal Cliff, Support for Rice
As the White House and congressional Republicans try to keep the nation from going over the so-called fiscal cliff, a new survey finds that the public is amenable to raising taxes on wealthier Americans and as averse as ever to cutting entitlement programs. [cont.] Matthew Cooper, National Journal Recent polls: […] Read more »
After divisive election, voters support balanced approach to budget crisis
… A balanced approach to solving the deficit problem, which focuses on raising taxes as well as cutting major programs, is popular among American voters overall. … But although there is general support for a balanced approach, an agreement on the details of revenue increases and program cuts may be […] Read more »
Complaints Aside, Most Face Lower Tax Burden Than in 1980
… [M]ost Americans in 2010 paid far less in total taxes — federal, state and local — than they would have paid 30 years ago. According to an analysis by The New York Times, the combination of all income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes took a smaller share of […] Read more »