Even Government Workers Support a Flat Tax

A previous post detailed differences of opinion between private sector and public sector workers on public sector compensation and collective bargaining.  Further analysis reveals an interesting difference and a point of agreement between the two groups.

The Reason-Rupe poll found private sector workers are more likely to support reducing Social Security taxes and allowing individuals to invest in their own retirements instead. Nearly half, 49 percent, of private sector workers support reducing Social Security taxes and allowing them to invest in their own retirement accounts. The numbers are flipped for government workers, with half of them, 50 percent, opposed and just 37 percent in favor of reducing Social Security taxes and allowing individuals to invest in their own retirements. 

Interestingly public and private sector workers agree on federal income tax rates. Both groups favor replacing the federal income tax with a flat tax. Sixty percent of private sector workers and 55 percent of government employees support eliminating the current complicated federal income tax system and replacing it with a flat tax.

The flat tax findings for the two groups are right in line with the overall poll results for that question, where 56 percent of Americans said they favor a flat tax.

Q: For the following proposals, please tell me whether you would strongly support, somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose each one.

-Changing the federal tax system to a ?at tax, where everyone pays the same percentage of their income.

Answers:

Strongly Support 35.2
Somewhat Support 21.0
Neither Support nor Oppose 7.9
Somewhat Oppose 9.6
Strongly Oppose 22.0
Don't Know/ No Response 4.3