Debt and Spending

1. "The federal government should have a spending cap."

   Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: The federal government should have a spending cap that prevents it from spending more than it takes in during a given year.

   Online Poll Results

   Strongly Agree		67%
   Somewhat Agree		33%
   Somewhat Disagree		0%
   Strongly Disagree		0%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Strongly Agree		62%
   Somewhat Agree		15%
   Somewhat Disagree		8%
   Strongly Disagree		12%
   Don't Know		3%

2. Balanced budget amendment

   Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget?

   Online Poll Results

   Favor Strongly		67%
   Favor Somewhat		17%
   Oppose Somewhat		17%
   Oppose Strongly		0%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Favor Strongly		50%
   Favor Somewhat		19%
   Oppose Somewhat		9%
   Oppose Strongly		17%
   Don't Know		6%

3. How reduce the national debt?

   Which of the following options comes closest to your view about the best way to reduce the national debt?

   Online Poll Results

   Increase taxes without decreasing spending		0%
   Mainly increase Taxes with some decrease in spending		0%
   Equal Emphasis on both Raising Taxes and Lowering Spending		17%
   Mainly decrease Spending with some increase in taxes		0%
   Decrease spending without increasing taxes		83%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Increase taxes without decreasing spending		7%
   Mainly increase Taxes with some decrease in spending		8%
   Equal Emphasis on both Raising Taxes and Lowering Spending		23%
   Mainly decrease Spending with some increase in taxes		20%
   Decrease spending without increasing taxes		37%
   Don't Know		5%

4. Effect of reduced government spending on the economy

   Do you believe reducing government spending will mostly help, mostly harm, or have no impact on the economy?

   Online Poll Results

   Mostly Help		67%
   Mostly Harm		0%
   No Impact		33%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Mostly Help		57%
   Mostly Harm		21%
   No Impact		15%
   Don't Know		6%

5. Close the Postal Service?

   To reduce federal spending, would you favor or oppose closing the U.S. Postal Service and allowing people to use private firms such as FedEx or UPS to deliver all mail and packages?

   Online Poll Results

   Favor Strongly		33%
   Favor Somewhat		50%
   Oppose Somewhat		17%
   Oppose Strongly		0%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Favor Strongly		11%
   Favor Somewhat		11%
   Oppose Somewhat		15%
   Oppose Strongly		58%
   Don't Know		5%

6. What would the government do with revenue from increased taxes?

   If the federal government raised taxes, do you believe they would use that money to reduce the deficit or do you believe they would spend that money on new programs instead?

   Online Poll Results

   Reduce Defecit		17%
   Spend on new programs		83%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Reduce Defecit		27%
   Spend on new programs		62%
   Don't Know		3%

7. Increase taxes on wealthy?

   Do you think the federal government should increase taxes on the wealthy?

   Online Poll Results

   Yes		0%
   No		100%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Yes		69%
   No		28%
   Don't Know		3%

8. Change in your taxes within five years?

   Do you expect your taxes to increase, decrease, or stay the same over the next five years?

   Online Poll Results

   Increase a Lot		33%
   Increase a Little		67%
   Stay the same		0%
   Decrease a Little		0%
   Decrease a Lot		0%

   Reason-Rupe Poll Results

   Increase a Lot		32%
   Increase a Little		36%
   Stay the Same		22%
   Decrease a Little		4%
   Decrease a Lot		2%
   Don't Know		4%