A new Rasmussen poll reveals that, shockingly, Americans are more supportive of their tax money going to law enforcement than welfare. Amusingly, though, the same people who want more cops want fewer government workers, even though cops work for the government.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Adults shows that only 19% would be willing to pay higher taxes to avoid layoffs of state employees. Sixty-nine percent (69%) say they would not be willing to pay more in taxes for this reason. Another 11% are undecided.
Adults feel similarly when it comes to funding entitlement programs. Twenty-two percent (22%) would pay higher taxes to prevent cuts in entitlement programs for low-income Americans. Sixty-three percent (63%) say they would not pay more to keep these programs afloat. Another 15% are undecided.
Americans are slightly less opposed to paying higher taxes for education. Thirty-four percent (34%) say they are willing to pay higher taxes to provide funding for public education, but 54% say they are not. Another 12% aren’t sure.
Thirty-seven percent (37%) say they are willing to pay higher taxes to increase the number of police and firemen in their communities. Still, 52% say they would not be willing to do so. Another 10% are not sure.
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These results are less surprising when you consider consistent polling shows that Likely Voters nationwide prefer a government that provides fewer services but imposes lower taxes to one with more services and higher taxes
Most U.S. voters (52%) continue to believe that tax increases will hurt the economy, while just 22% think tax increases are good for the economy.
Women are slightly more supportive than men of paying higher taxes to fund education, public employees and police and fire. But there is little difference between men and women on paying to prevent cuts in entitlement programs.
Republicans and voters not affiliated with either major political party are strongly opposed to paying higher taxes for any of these services. Democrats support paying more for education and staffing police and firemen, but are less supportive of funding public employee protections and entitlement programs for lower income Americans.
Rasmussen’s declarations to the contrary notwithstanding, none of this is even the least bit surprising. People support education, law enforcement, and defense. They oppose taxes, welfare, and government bureaucrats. That there is some contradictions in these views hasn’t stopped them from being true for as long as I can remember.
