Public's View On Income Tax Levels In The United States

It's income tax time in the United States, and therefore a very good time to look at what the public thinks about tax levels. And the good folks at the Gallup Poll have questioned Americans about their views on that subject. The survey was done between April 3rd and 6th of a random sample of 1,026 nationwide adults, and has a margin of error of about 4 points.

The views are not too surprising, but they should be worrisome to elected Republicans in Washington -- since they are the opposite of what those GOP officials have been trying to do. The Republicans say the rich and the corporations pay too much in taxes (even though they are making record incomes and profits), and they want to cut taxes for both. The people disagree. About 66% of the public thinks corporations don't pay enough in taxes, while only 8% think they pay too much. And the numbers are similar for the rich -- with 61% saying they don't pay enough, while only 13% say they pay too much.

And for middle and lower income Americans, who the Republicans want to burden with more taxes and less benefits, the public also disagrees. A plurality of Americans think those groups already pay too much in taxes.

The Democrats need to take every possible opportunity to remind voters of the GOP tax policies between now and November. They are out of step with most Americans.