Posted on 05/29/2009 9:48:52 AM PDT by reaganaut1
To raise additional money for the government, just 18% of Americans nationwide favor a national sales tax. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 68% oppose such a tax.
There is more support for the concept if sales tax revenue is used to provide health insurance for all Americans. In that scenario, 40% favor a national sales tax and 49% are opposed.
Democrats strongly support a national sales tax to provide universal health insurance coverage. Republicans are opposed by a three-to-one margin, and those not affiliated with either major party are opposed two-to-one.
A plurality of Americans would support a national sales tax if it meant getting rid of the federal income tax: 43% favor that trade-off, but 38% are opposed. Pluralities of Republicans and unaffiliateds like the idea, while a plurality of Democrats are against it.
Forty-eight percent (48%) say a national sales tax is fairer than an income tax while 26% hold the opposite view. The sales tax is viewed as fairer by 52% of Republicans, 44% of Democrats and 49% of unaffiliateds.
According to recent news reports, some in Washington say adoption of a national sales tax on all goods and services would lead to a reduction in income tax rates. However, Americans are skeptical that the nation’s politicians would actually go through with such a trade-off.
Only 20% of Americans think it’s even somewhat likely that the government would actually cut income tax rates once the national sales tax was approved. Just eight percent (8%) say it’s Very Likely income tax rates would come down.
A Washington Post article this week said a national sales tax ranging from 10% to 25% is being discussed. In the Rasmussen Reports survey, no specific levels of taxation were mentioned.
(Excerpt) Read more at rasmussenreports.com ...
1. A national sales tax on all goods and services is one way for the government to raise more money. Do you favor or oppose a national sales tax?
18% Favor, 68% Oppose, 14% Not sure
2. Suppose that money raised from a national sales tax was used to provide health care for all Americans. Would you favor or oppose a national sales tax to help pay for health care for all Americans?
40% Favor, 49% Oppose, 11% Not sure
When will people learn?
NEW SCHEMES WILL NEVER DERIVE A BENEFIT FOR THE TAXPAYER!
The current system is bad, but the next one will be far worse.
In addition to all the other taxes? Um. No.
Obama will be selling new lies to raise taxes. He’ll blame everyone except his own signing to endless red ink.
Wot a shock.
As soon as we have representation that gives a flying f*** about our sovereign nation and less about their own political achievements.
The Canadians did this some time ago to address the deficit. The conservatives were complicit and they were annihilated in the next election. Oh, and the money wound up being spent on new projects.
If they REPLACE the income tax, then yes, this could work.
If they do like CA and use it to drag down the economy and suck more money from the public while still taxing our income they can kiss it.
No new taxes. No more taxes. Cut taxes. Shrink gubmint. Leave us alone.
The original concept (1978-81) was to "starve the beast", to force reductions in the size and scope of the government by cutting its revenue.
How'd that work out for you?
So, now, there are two GOP positions, both disgusting :
1) Cutting taxes will give the government more money, not less (this may be true, but if it is it just accomplishes our enslavement faster),
2) If we cut revenues and they DON'T cut the size of government, eventually a fiscal disaster will occur and the financial/monetary system will collapse.
What the Republicans have accomplished since they gave up on cutting the size of government is both of the above.
They are as bad as the Democrats, or worse (since they have no goals and are clueless about what they're doing).
Epic fail.
Reboot?
20% of the population is delusional.
How people really feel about the idiot fair tax, or any NRST or VAT for that matter...
My bad. I hate when that happens. Of course I meant "repealed."
They aren't looking for a fair system, they are looking for ways to get more money.
They would be totally against it if it meant giving up the existing system.
Add this question: Would you support a nation wide sales tax on NEW goods and services if the 16th Amendment and all other taxes were repealed?
I think you mean REPEALED.
For all the rhetoric from Obama about not raising taxes on anyone but the “rich” this proposal it just plain nuts. Sales taxes and all excise taxes are regressive taxes because the low income are disproportionately affected. Add this to the “light switch tax” from cap and trade and every American would have a massive tax increase regardless of their income.
Ok, 10% of Americans think Elvis is still alive. Now I’m sure they are numbered among this group. But where did the additional 8% come from?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.