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Bill USA

(6,436 posts)
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 07:29 PM Jun 2012

Rank and file Republicans, even 'staunch conservatives' are not adamantly opposed to tax increases


.. to deal with the Bush Deficit.


While the Tea-Party dominated Republicans in D.C. are adamant there should be no tax increases under any circumstances (tax 'increase' to DC Repubs includes returning to the tax rates before the infamous Bush Tax Cuts which helped create this REPUBLICAN DYSTOPIA we are now in, and which were the biggest single contributor tothe deficit - greater even than the Trickle Down Disaster). But among rank and file Repubs, even among the 'Staunch Conservatives' - as PEW Research defines them, it is not an absolute that tax increases should never be countenanced. 34% of Staunch Conservatives of the rank and file Repubs say dealing with the Deficit can be done with an approach that includes tax increases along with program cuts. Among 'Mainstreet' Repubs 59% agree with a mixed approach of tax increases and program cuts in dealing with the deficit.


The PEW Research Center divides Republicans into Staunch Conservatives and Mainstreet Republicans. Staunch Cons represent about 11% of the registered voters, while Mainstreet Repubs constitute about 14% of the registered voters.

According to PEW, while the Staunch Cons are mostly against any tax 'increases' (this includes returning to pre-Bush Tax cuts rates - not a real tax increase) to lower the deficit as in a mixed approach of tax increases plus program cuts: 64% are for only program cuts, 34% would accept an approach involving tax increases WITH program cuts. Among Main Street Repubs 59% agree with an approach which includes tax increases plus program cuts. Only 35% of Mainstreet Repubs say Deficit Reduction should mainly come from Program cuts.

Among the general public 64% say deficit reduction should be accomplished using tax increases plus program cuts.



http://www.people-press.org/2011/05/04/section-7-the-budget-deficit-taxes-spending-and-entitlements/

Reducing the Budget Deficit

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Americans say that the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit would include a combination of both cutting major programs and increasing taxes. Just 20% say the focus should be mostly on spending cuts, and just 6% say it should be mostly on tax increases.



Staunch Conservatives are the only group where a majority (59%) says the approach to deficit reduction should focus mostly on cutting major programs. Nearly half (47%) of Libertarians agree that spending cuts should be the focus, while about as many (45%) think a combination of cuts and tax hikes are in order. Clear majorities in all other groups say the best way to reduce the deficit is through a combination of cutting major programs and increasing taxes.


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Staunch Conservatives

9% OF ADULT POPULATION /11% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

Basic Description: This extremely partisan Republican group is strongly conservative on economic and social policy and favors an assertive foreign policy. They are highly engaged in politics, most (72%) agree with the Tea Party, 54% regularly watch Fox News, and nearly half (47%) believe that President Obama was born outside the U.S.


So the Repubs in DC in being opposed to any sort of tax 'increase' (including returnung to pre- Bush tax cuts rates) are going beyond what their base finds acceptable. Why go beyond what the base finds acceptable?? .... for political victory over Obama leveraged by continuing this Republican Dystopia. Businesses are reluctant to bring back laid off workers as long as the Repubs show they are willing to kill the economy to win an election. Were it not for this uncertainty, businesses would be hiring more people and bringing back more of the laid off workers and we would have seen a lower unemployment rate now. But Republican Party leaders know that would not be good for their chances in November. So, on with the war on Obama with the collateral damage to millions of Americans' livelihoods.

Who needs al-Kaida when you've got the GOP!



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Rank and file Republicans, even 'staunch conservatives' are not adamantly opposed to tax increases (Original Post) Bill USA Jun 2012 OP
It's almost as if they actually have checkbooks to balance Scootaloo Jun 2012 #1
There you go again, using those pesky facts. They don't care what the people want. Booster Jun 2012 #2
 

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)
1. It's almost as if they actually have checkbooks to balance
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 07:44 PM
Jun 2012

I mean hey, once you move out of mom and dad's and find you have to pay to support yourself, you find out pretty quickly that you need INCOME to pay your bills off with, and if your spending outstrips your income, you enter debt, which will require both more income and less spending to pay off.

But let's be honest. If the rank and vile Republican voters of America realize this reality - and since they don't seem to be starving in the streets, I assume most of 'em can manage that much - why the fuck do they vote again, and again, and again for politicians that obviously don't "get it"?

I can only fall back on the belief that Republican voters vote that way because htey are, collectively, a pack of sadists and misanthropes who enjoy the misery of others, even if it makes them miserable as well.

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