CNN has just released a collection of poll questions asked and answered during the first full week of August 2010 (downloads as a pdf). It’s a pretty compelling, though not particularly eye-opening, read.
In this election year, the focus seems to be on two key issues: taxes and health care reform. It’s not surprising, then, that the polls (as released) similarly targeted those issues.
A particularly hot-button issue is whether to extend the Bush tax cuts. In the poll, taxpayers were asked:
As you may know, the tax cuts passed into law when George W. Bush was president are set to expire this year. Unless a new bill is passed, federal income tax rates will rise to the level they were at when those cuts were enacted. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view:
- Those tax cuts should continue for all Americans regardless of how much money they make
- Those tax cuts should continue for families that make less than 250 thousand dollars a year, but taxes should rise to the previous level for families who make more than that amount
- Taxes should rise to the previous level for all Americans regardless of how much money they make
- No opinion
51% of those polled chose option 2:
- Those tax cuts should continue for families that make less than 250 thousand dollars a year, but taxes should rise to the previous level for families who make more than that amount
There was no difference by gender, race or age. The demographic breakdown for the question indicated that men and women both chose option 2 as their first choice. Similarly, both whites and nonwhites (poll’s description, not mine) chose option 2. All age groups from 18-34 to 50 and older also elected choice 2.
There was no difference by college education level either. All groups chose option 2. Interestingly, however, the less educated group (no college) offered the least support for choice 2 with 48% making the choice.
Democrats and Independents both supported option 2. Republicans, however, opted for choice 1 “continue for all” with a 50% vote; the next 40% supported option 2. As between all parties, those that considered themselves “liberals” or “moderate” opted for choice 2. Those that considered themselves “conservative” picked choice 1.
Choice 2 remained the most favored option across the country. Differences in percentages were evident as between the south, northeast, etc., but all areas of the country settled on the same answer. Similarly, while the percentages were different as between urban, suburban and rural, choice 2 came out on top for each.
All of that said, I’m a math girl. I understand statistics. Data, while on some level is an absolute, is really only as good as its context and collection.
I also understand spin. I get how you can make an argument to interpret the data almost anyway that you want. Spin on statistics is what keeps the media, PR gurus and pundits in business. So, I am willing to take this data with a grain of salt. But I do find it pretty interesting by breakdown – it wasn’t what I expected to see across the board. If I were running for office, I would surely take all of this under advisement… Wouldn’t you?
(Of course, if you have lots to say about the cuts, be sure and chime in with a guest post!)
“Most Americans” 50% don’t pay taxes. Duh.
The title to the article is misleading, just like the rest of the liberal media.