TAX THE RICH- 78% of Californians support increase in income tax

[n2doc]

Californians back raising taxes on state's wealthy

Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer

04/01/11


With negotiations over how to solve California's $26.6 billion state budget deficit stalled, a new poll released today shows strong bipartisan support for something Sacramento lawmakers this year haven't seriously debated: raising taxes on the wealthiest residents.

Seventy-eight percent of likely California voters support a 1 percent increase in the income tax rate for Californians earning more than $500,000 a year, according to the poll, which was conducted by Democratic pollster Ben Tulchin and sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers.

A one percentage point increase, which would raise an estimated $2.5 billion a year, offers a possible Plan B for helping solve the budget deficit, with 60 percent of Republican respondents and 79 percent of independents and other voters backing it, along with 89 percent of Democrats. The maximum income tax rate is 9.55 percent, according to the Californian Franchise Tax Board.



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/31/MNP21INRMH.DTL

And yet, it probably won't happen. Yet another example of how we don't live in a democracy anymore.

[Siouxmealso]

1. This is kind of a meaningless poll isn't it?

Most people polled would say tax the other guy, but not me. What else is new.

[n2doc]

2. But that isn't reflected in the politics of the state or country

In a democracy, the wishes of the people are supposed to be reflected in the policies of the government (unless restricted by constitutional law, such as fundamental rights). If Cal, as well as the rest of the country, we have a majority of people calling for increased taxation on the rich. What we get instead are tax cuts for the rich.

[titaniumsalute]

3. It doesn't matter what people think

Fucking millionaires and billionares are the people running the government now. As long a they are in power it doesn't matter what people think in a poll.

Frankly, they will simply tell the media over and over again that the people don't want their taxes raised even on the wealthy. The sheep will buy it.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. This is about California, and they just elected Democrats

across the board. How'd you guys do? California Democrats had Mega Bucks Meg throw millions and millions at the election and she lost to Jerry Brown who strolled to the win. They don't sound like sheep to me. Cynicism is not a sign of knowledge, it is just a sign of cynicism.

[bvar22]

5. Not just California!

Who will STAND UP and FIGHT for THIS American Majority?
Lofty Rhetoric, Empty Promises, and Excuses are meaningless now.

"By their WORKS you will know them,"
And by their WORKS they will be held accountable.

[titaniumsalute]

8. I know this particular article is about California...

...however California is one of 49 states. I live in the state of Florida where Rick Scott threw $73 mill of his own dollars to his campaign and won. The House and Senate are both right wingers. That is where I live. And nothing will be done about raising taxes here while they are in power.

Same goes for Ohio (where I am originally from.)

[Hubert Flottz]

6. I thought Arnold was going to save California.

Wasn't that what he promised?

[taught_me_patience]

7. Everybody wants to tax the other guy

whats new?

[malaise]

9. Tax the rich or face the middle class and working class

on the streets

Solidarity Forever!!