Capitol Hill's failure to make good on a promise to trim spending and cut the dangerously high federal deficit has Americans convinced that higher taxes are on the way.
[Check out a roundup of editorial cartoons on the economy.]
In a new Washington Whispers poll, 40 percent said that they expect taxes to increase as a result of the inability of the so-called debt super committee to produce a plan this week to trim spending by $1.2 trillion.
Because the committee didn't do its job, several triggers could kick in by early 2013, including a tax hike as the Bush tax cuts end.
But our poll also shows that many Americans didn't think Congress would be able to produce a debt plan that would succeed. Some 37 percent, when asked what worries them about congressional action, said that whatever Congress came up with, it wouldn't work and the debt would increase.
[See a collection of political cartoons on the budget and deficit.]
The Whispers Poll
As the congressional "super committee" readies its plan to cut the nation's debt, what worries you most about its potential impact?
- Higher taxes 40%
- It won't work and debt will increase 37%
- Raising the retirement age 11%
- Deep defense cuts 7%
- Cutting the mortgage deduction 5%
Source: The Synovate eNation Internet poll was conducted November 11-15 among a national sample of 1,000 households by global market research firm Synovate.
Reader Comments Read all comments (2)
Stacey Bridges of VA 1:10PM November 22, 2011
Rich of MN 4:06PM November 21, 2011