Majorities Oppose Most Deficit Reduction Proposals
Among a dozen specific spending and tax options for reducing the national debt and deficit, only three win majority approval from the public. They include: raising the tax rate on incomes over $250,000 (69% approve); limiting the amount of deductions a taxpayer can claim (54% approve); and raising the tax rate on investment income (52% approve). While limiting deductions overall receives majority support, fewer (41%) support limiting the home mortgage interest deduction.
At the other end of the spectrum — cuts in federal funding for education, transportation and the poor are particularly unpopular. Fully 77% disapprove of cuts in education, 67% oppose reduced funding for roads and transportation and 58% disapprove of cuts in federal aid to the poor. In addition, 55% disapprove of reductions in military defense spending while 43% approve.
Majorities Oppose Most Deficit Reduction Proposals  | Disapprove  | Approve  | Raise tax rate on income over $250 LOOO  | 69  | 28  | Limit deductions taxpayer can claim  | 40  | 54  | Raise the tax on investment income  | 52  | 43  | Reduce Medicare benefits for higher income seniors  | 51  | 46  | Reduce Socia Security for higher income seniors  | 46  | 51  | Reduce military defense spending  | 43  | 55  | Gradually raise age for Social S ecurity  | 41 42  | 56  | 52  | Limit deduction for mortgage interest  | 41  | Gradually raise sage for Medicare  | 56  | Reduce funding for programs to help low income  | 58  | 38  | Reduce federal funding forroads R. transportation  | 67  | 30  | Reduce federal funding for educa tion  | 77  | 21  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER Dec. 5-9, 2012, Q47, 