AP POLL: Tax the rich to pay for health bill

[WI_DEM]

WASHINGTON - When it comes to paying for a health care overhaul, Americans see just one way to go: Tax the rich.

That finding from a new Associated Press poll will be welcome news for House Democrats, who proposed doing just that in their sweeping remake of the U.S. medical system, which passed earlier this month and would extend coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.

Lawmakers also are looking at levying new taxes on insurance companies, drug companies and medical device makers. But the only approach that got majority support in the AP poll was a tax on upper-income Americans.

The House bill would impose a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on individuals making more than $500,000 a year and households making more than $1 million.

The poll tested views on an even more punitive taxation scheme that was under consideration earlier, when the tax would have hit people making more than $250,000 a year. Even at that level the poll showed majority support, with 57 percent in favor and 36 percent opposed.

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[Hidden Stillness]

1. The Overwhelming Majority Opinion--and None of It Will Happen

This is why corporate "D"LC like Obama, Emanuel, Daschle, and all the rest orchestrating the forced-commercial-insurance-buy have no excuses; even as they pretend they are "so brave," "fighting powerful forces," (as Obama always says generically, against "Washington"). The clear majority angry and loudly supports Medicare-style coverage, high/restored taxes on rich people and huge corporations, breaking up monopolies and regulating them, punishing speculators and profiteers on Wall St. and not bailing them out with trillions of dollars and counting, prosecuting Cheney/Bush officials for any number of crimes, etc.

There is not only no opposition, there is a huge wave of popular support that would cheer every act...yet they do nothing. The American people have always supported taxes to pay for things, supported high/fair taxes on the rich and corporations, and supported strong laws to punish and stop corporate crime--and none of it happens anymore!

[stray cat]

2. Should other people pay for your health care? Should you pay anything?

How about should you pay for your neighbors care?