(Week of 7/7/2012) Americans think many approaches to stimulating the economy could help, even if they may seem contradictory. In the latest Economist/YouGov Poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans think a middle class tax cut would be effective, but around half also think that reducing the deficit or increasing government spending on infrastructure and job creation would help, too.
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Two approaches are seen as the least effective: reducing environmental regulations, seen as stimulating the economy by just 32%, and cutting taxes on the wealthy, likely to be the focus of Congressional debate this fall, which only 28% think would work. Just 27% of those with incomes of $100,000 or more say tax cuts for the wealthy would stimulate the economy; about as many in that income bracket think that action would slow the economy.
Support for specific economic solutions is often party-based. Democrats think raising the minimum wage, government spending on infrastructure, and cutting taxes for the poor would help; Republicans don’t. Republicans think reducing the deficit and limiting environmental regulations would help; Democrats don’t. 44% of Republicans but only 19% of Democrats say tax cuts for wealthy Americans would help. Both parties agree on the possible efficacy of middle class tax cuts, however.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
Photo source: Press Association