Posted on 10/26/2011 9:56:48 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
A Washington Post/ABC News poll released Wednesday morning found that Americans are divided on tax plans proposed by two of the leading contenders for the Republican presidential nomination, businessman Herman Cain and Texas Gov. Rick Perry. The poll found that a majority of Republican voters favor the flat tax but a majority oppose Cain’s plan.
The poll found only 36 percent of the total population surveyed favoring Cain’s “9-9-9 plan.” The plan, which has become one of the cornerstones of Cain’s campaign, would establish the federal income tax and the corporate tax rate at 9 percent while adding a national sales tax also set at 9 percent. A majority of those surveyed -- 56 percent -- have an unfavorable view of Cain’s plan.
Cain’s plan is upside down among Republicans, with 50 percent seeing it as unfavorable; 41 percent of the Republicans surveyed favor the plan. Since winning the Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando last month, Cain has rocketed to the top of some national polls and is leading in some crucial early states, including Iowa and South Carolina.
The plan garners lower marks with voters outside the GOP. Thirty-five percent of Democrats favor the plan, while 61 percent see it as unfavorable. Cain’s plan registers similar marks from Independents, with 35 percent favoring it and 58 percent opposing it.
The flat tax -- backed by various presidential candidates over the years including publisher Steve Forbes in his bid for the Republican nominations in 1996 and 2000, and once and future California Gov. Jerry Brown in his bid for the Democratic nod in 1992 -- receives higher marks. Forbes announced earlier this week that he is backing Perry for the Republican nomination.
Forty-seven percent of those surveyed favor a flat tax, while 48 see it unfavorably. The idea does better with Republicans than other voters. A majority of Republican voters in the poll -- 56 percent -- back the idea, 41 percent of them view it unfavorably. Independents are less sold on the flat tax, with 46 percent favoring it and 48 percent seeing it as unfavorable. The idea is less popular among Democrats, with 40 percent favoring the flat tax and 56 percent opposing it.
The poll of 1,019 American adults was taken Oct. 19-23 and had a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent.
I like what you say—and how you say it.
There is much more to changing the direction of this country than simply giving the Bronx cheer to anything that may not be EXACTLY our position. Principled people (not idealogues), distinguishing what is major and and what is minor, and the courage to stand for what is honest and right with other principled people—that is what will propel us to success.
Simply grumbling, deriding, and giving the raspberry are sure to alienate those who may be persuaded by reasonable people, sensible and moral arguments, and an appeal to the innate desire of good people to be a (constructive) part of something larger and greater than themselves, “. . . among them, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
It is good to read your constructive comments.
Amusing to hear the Bush apologists on AM praising this plan. This is a GWB type compassionate conservative plan...but Perry hates Bush so it’s OK, LOL
No way! Perry’s plan will quickly become a 40 or 50% flat tax! And it will apply to everyone!
Worst. Plan. Ever.
Not registered voters, just 1,019 warm bodies, some of whom maybe American citizens.
Oh, did the pollster have a premonition and run the poll for 4 days, BEFORE anita perrywinkle announced her plan.
Putin’s Russia has a Flat Tax—15% It seems to be working as long as everyone pays the tax. For most it would be a break. If it will start up jobs—I am for it. BUT we must do a few things.
1. Close the border with Mexico and bear out the gangs.
(Perry will not do this)
2. Drive out or toss out the illegals.
(Perry will not do this )
3. Put up tariffs on cheaply made goods coming to the US.
(None of the GOP will do this)
4. Cut the budget down to a nibim. (Like 2002 budget)
(Lots of talk but can it be done?)
5. Pull troops out of the world wars we have going on.
(Only Ron Paul talks about this)
I don’t see this Perry Bounce lasting—I still think Newt or Mitt R. is going to make it.
Everyone must pay! Russia has a flat tax of 15 % Every Russian pays even if its 15 Kopecs —all pay and take part in paying for the government. They have lived though the horror of Communism and understand this better than we do.
Those are your words, not Rick Perry's. His "Cut, Balance, and Grow" plan includes cutting spending and balancing the budget.
http://www.rickperry.org/cut-balance-and-grow-html/
Perry's plan reads:
There exists a simple solution to America’s spending problem: a balanced budget. To get a handle on its federal debt problem, the federal government must first stop spending more than it collects each year. Only then can it begin to reduce the total amount of federal debt and free every American family from the debtor’s prison that was erected by years of overspending and fiscal mismanagement.
For that reason I am not selecting my Candidate based solely on their tax plan. I liked the fact that Cain had a plan from the get-go and the others followed. That alone displayed the elements of a Leader.
I right now am on the Cain Train. He is a principled man with a solid moral compass. I trust him, until he proves me wrong.
The others, well to me they are all Professional Politicians. I am tired of that ponzi-scheme!
GO HERMAN CAIN!
I did not like the optional part of the plan when I first heard about it, but the more I think about it - I think it is a good idea. It's going to take some time to get Congress on board with completely abolishing the IRS - people too. People are generally scared of change - business has vividly shown that with the uncertainty of Obama's policies. They will hold back on new expansion and investments, until they see how things are going to be.
I think the optional part of Perry's plan helps the new plan to ease into operation much easier and quicker than just saying "we're tearing everything down and rebuilding it completely new". It DOES give people a chance to compare what their taxes will be both ways. It also gives people that have made life plans regarding their investing, saving and retiring - a chance to see how the new plan works & modify their old plans to fit the new way.
It is also a great way to quickly show us that - hey - that new way seems to be working better. Also, accountants and other people that make their living by the old plan will have time to adapt.
I think the optional aspect is actually necessary to get people on board with drastic change much easier and quicker. It's pretty smart if you think it through - and shows that quite a bit of thought was put into it.
What grade are you in? Is it recess?
Can't we have an adult discussion here?
Has Governor Perry stated that his plan is just a transition to another system which abolishes the current system?
That is because you don't know Mark Levin, Steve Forbes or the leadership at the Americans for Tax Reform.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2798262/posts
ATR Summary of Perry Tax Plan:
Rick Perry's optional flat tax plan will create jobs and grow the economy.
I agree with your call on Newt or Mitt.
And the same to you. It's nice to hear from someone that can discuss the issues and the candidates without sinking to the grade school level of name-calling and mocking. It's truly ridiculous.
None of the candidates are perfect. I'm a Perry supporter, but I can give Cain credit for starting the conversation on tax reform. I like his unconventional way of campaigning, but I personally feel that Perry has more experience and I don't want to take a chance on a somewhat unknown quantity at this crucial time in our country. If Cain is the nominee, I will enthusiastically support him.
It is depressing to come to this site and see the level of school yard name-calling that I am increasingly seeing here. Can't we discuss the merits of each of our conservative candidates and hope that the eventual nominee can beat Obama?
Perry's plan simply makes existing tax rates flat at 20% and gives people the option of paying under the old system if they so choose. It's basically a win win. It lowers taxes for millions of people, and does not increase taxes on those for whom the 20% flat tax would result in an increase because they can default to the old system. In effect, it is really just a tax cut and simplification plan for much of the 53% of Americans who actually pay federal income tax. It sounds to me like you have absolutely zero idea what Perry is proposing.
Cain's plan creates an entirely new kind of tax - the consumption tax. I will not be supporting any tax plan that seeks to create an entirely new method and infrastructure for taxing the American people. We do not need consumption taxes. That would be a terrible idea, and the vast majority of Republicans will never agree to go along with implementing a new consumption tax.
Why would the Democrats risk alienating the poor and blue collar workers? Everyone who buys groceries would be reminded of a sales tax hike everytime they go to the supermarket.
What grade are you in? Is it recess?
Can't we have an adult discussion here?
You object to my word picture of ricky boi, being lead into the nomination by nurse anita, and then accuse me of being in grade school and then have the stones to ax me if "we can have an adult conversation"?
I guess we can, as long as you get to define what the words "adult discussion" refer to.
I don't know that he has, but I think that by getting the flat tax option in there quicker (by leaving the old system there) - it gives people a chance to try it out while having the old system act as a 'safety net' to them to go back to if they see it doesn't work. I personally think that most people will like the flat tax much better and I think the system that we have now will go the way of the dinosaur.
But I think we all know that if you try to go into Congress and try to completely do away with the current system in favor of an untried idea - it's going to be difficult, if not impossible to achieve.
In my opinion, this optional part of the plan shows that Perry's political experience will serve him well in working within the system. No, his plan isn't perfect & is unlikely to emerge in the form it is in now - but I think it has a better chance of being implemented.
Both amount to a flat tax. One is 27%, one is 20% (for now).
IIRC when Forbes was pushing this during his campaign that number kept edging up, settling to around 26%. You can bet the farm ANY flat tax will end up at 25%+
I tend to agree with you. Personally I'd like to see the stores put the tax on the price tags of all items. (Price $10.00 + 9% federal tax 10.90 + 6% state tax =$11.50.) This would make the tax so obvious that it would be difficult if not impossible for them to play games with it.
The gas stations did this in MA a few years ago by posting the tax breakdown on the pumps. It was so effective the legislature made them take the postings down.
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