New poll out indicates that the country is clearly, massively, overwhelmingly progressive. While they talk about cutting so-called entitlement programs in Washington, the American people have completely different priorities.

When asked what's the first thing they would do to balance the budget, Americans had an unmistakably clear answer -- raise taxes on the rich. It came in number one by a mile, with a whopping 61 percent.

If that wasn't progressive enough, cutting defense spending came in number two, with 20 percent.

And if all of that wasn't clear enough, when asked about cutting Medicare, only 4 percent were in favor of it. Only 3 percent wanted to cut Social Security as a way to balance the budget.

I thought the country was center-right? That's what all of the pundits tell us 24/7 on television. What happened now? Do those answer look center-right to you? They look decidedly center-left to anyone with a pulse.

Washington is going to hate this news because they were just getting ready to cut people's Social Security. That's what the president's Deficit Commission suggested. That's what all of the Republicans are massively in favor of. That's what a lot of the Democrats are already saying is "necessary." All the meanwhile, they just gave a $407 billion tax cut to the richest people in the country.

Well, apparently the American people disagree with Washington's priorities. If the Democrats, Republicans and the president persist in trying to cut Social Security in the face of these numbers, then we will know that we have lost our democracy all together. That the people in power couldn't give a damn what we want. That the take over of the American government by the corporations, the rich and the powerful is complete.

Every time you hear any politician or pundit say we have to cut Social Security or what they derisively call entitlement programs (you paid into them your whole life, that is why you are "entitled" to them), send them this poll. And ask them why they don't care at all about the will of the American people
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/cenk-uygur/33458/new-poll-confirms-country-is-clearly-progressive

Then explain the November beat down of so called "progressives"!

I agree the taxes on the rich should be raised but also that programs be cut but not on the elderly for social security and medicare but on the working able bodied class.....

I agree the taxes on the rich should be raised but also that programs be cut but not on the elderly for social security and medicare but on the working able bodied class.....

I don't see a link to the actual poll or who conducted it so to say I'm skeptical of something from the smirking chimp is an understatement.


If you pay into social security for 40 years and are expecting to get something when you retire is not progressive.

Being progressive, in this sense, is having someone else pay for your social security and demanding to get something when you retire.

One word.
Complacency!

Not only that, but the Republican win is not as clear as the illusion they wish to portray.

A conservative win no doubt but only in the house and the only real winner, even there, was a Tea Party win.

From interviews I've seen, the tea party will not be a part of the party of no.
They will not vote no just to make Obama look bad. Their claim will be for the economic recovery and the people.

Most people do not vote and are easily fooled by Fox news propganda.

Here is the source of the poll.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Most Americans think the United States should raise taxes for the rich to balance the budget, according to a 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll released on Monday.

President Barack Obama last month signed into law a two-year extension of Bush-era tax cuts for millions of Americans, including the wealthiest, in a compromise with Republicans.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_usa_taxes_poll

Amazing how people ignore a basic truth about budgets.

When one has expenses that exceed ones ability to pay...

ONE CUTS SPENDING...

Given past spending patterns of our 'governing' politicians if you raise taxes on anyone (rich or poor)...

the politicians will simply continue to spend beyond those taxes, resulting in the need to raise taxes yet further.

Proper course of action is to start at the massive size of government and cut... cut... cut... till the budget equals the amount collected.

Collecting more will simply allow the expenditure of more.

The conservatives won enough votes in the senate to go along with the moderate blue dog democrats that makes the senate more balanced so in those terms they won there as well.

This is just a stupid idea! Taxes need to be lowered across the board, this will give people more money to spend which will help the economy. I don't understand why some people think its ok to punish those who have busted their ***** to become successful, its just sick thinking.

At the very least those who apply themselves should be left where they're at, what's the incentive to start a business if some shithead is gonna come along and take your money?

The wealthy actually get a huge amount of tax loopholes and break to be honest by making a straight ten percent across the board would increase income and with cutting expeditures on able bodied fail safes this would decrease spending.........pump up income and decrease spending helps to protect the people and the country

Oops don't know why I am dbl posting on here ......

Its pretty simple balence the budget by increasing taxes on the rich and cut military spending. When theeconomy anddefecit improves lower the taxes.

Well after you remove the white racists votes from the mix then you have the anti government folks who really hate the government then you have those who believed all the garbage propaganda about socialism and communism, those poor birthers, etc.. Or the lies of government run healthcare, automotive industry or banks.

And after all that you had those few who are now pissed because they wanted the deficit lowered and congress and the pres screwed them with allowing the Bush tax cuts on the rich to continue.

What your talking about is a flat tax which I agree with.

Not true

Reform and close the loopholes. Don't tax them more. I have known a few 'rich' folks and they paid their taxes (most of the loopholes are used by CORPORATIONS not the average 'rich' person.

Look at history... When Kings and Emperors raised taxes on the rich their countries colapsed in short order... Or they faced an 'uprising' they could not handle... Magna Carta anyone?