Poll Watch: CNN/ORC Survey on Deficit Reduction

CNN/ORC Survey on Deficit Reduction

Which of these statements comes closest to your view:

• Taxes on wealthy people should be kept low because they invest their money in the private sector and that helps the economy and creates jobs 34%
• Taxes on wealthy people should be kept high so the government can use their money for programs to help lower-income people 62%

Among Democrats

• Taxes on wealthy people should be kept low because they invest their money in the private sector and that helps the economy and creates jobs 13%
• Taxes on wealthy people should be kept high so the government can use their money for programs to help lower-income people 84%

Among Republicans

• Taxes on wealthy people should be kept low because they invest their money in the private sector and that helps the economy and creates jobs 61%
• Taxes on wealthy people should be kept high so the government can use their money for programs to help lower-income people 33%

As you may know, that bill created a bipartisan congressional committee that is expected to produce a proposal to significantly reduce the federal budget deficit.  Please tell me whether you think each of the following should or should not be included in that deficit reduction proposal:

Increases in taxes on businesses and higher-income Americans

• Should 63%
• Should not 36%

Among Democrats

• Should 80%
• Should not 19%

Among Republicans

• Should 39%
• Should not 60%

Increases in taxes on middle class and lower-income Americans

• Should 12%
• Should not 87%

Major cuts in spending on domestic government programs

• Should 57%
• Should not 40%

Among Democrats

• Should 39%
• Should not 58%

Among Republicans

• Should 77%
• Should not 18%

Major cuts in military spending

• Should 47%
• Should not 53%

Among Democrats

• Should 60%
• Should not 40%

Among Republicans

• Should 22%
• Should not 78%

Major changes to the Social Security and Medicare systems

• Should 35%
• Should not 64%

Among Democrats

• Should 28%
• Should not 71%

Among Republicans

• Should 42%
• Should not 57%

Survey of 1,008 adults, including 930 registered voters, was conducted August 5-7, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.