The American Majority Project Polling

Our review of a broad range of reputable polls on economic issues finds a big difference between the policy solutions that dominate the discussion among policymakers and media pundits and what the majority of average citizens would like to be brought to the forefront.

Social Security [1]

Medicare [2]

Medicaid [3]

Taxes [4]

The Economy [5]

The Pentagon [6]

Social Security

The Washington Post/ABC News poll. [7] April 16, 2013.

“51 percent of Americans oppose chained CPI (to limit the cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security benefits) and only 37 percent support it.”

Kaiser Family Foundation. [8] January 24, 2013.

58% of Americans think there should be no reductions in Social Security

Pew Research. [9] December 13, 2012.

56% oppose raising the Social Security retirement age to reduce federal deficits

Omnibus/YouGov. [10] December 5, 2012.

54% of Americans think it’s a bad idea to adjust cost of living calculations to lessen Social Security benefits in the future

National Academy of Social Insurance. [11] January 31, 2012.

80% of Americans don’t mind paying for Social Security because they value it for themselves.
84% don’t mind paying for it because it provides disability and survivor’s insurance.
84% of Americans believe Social Security doesn’t provide enough for retirees.
75% of Americans believe we should consider raising Social Security benefits in the future.
82% favor preserving Social Security for the future even if that means raising Social Security taxes on working Americans.
87% of Americans not receiving benefits say it will be important to their financial stability.
72% of Americans receiving Social Security say they would not be able to afford some basic needs without it.

AFL-CIO. [12] November 7, 2012.

By 64% to 17%, voters say we should maintain Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Gallup. [13] November 9-12, 2012.

88% believe it is extremely/very important that “Obama take steps to ensure long term stability in Social Security.”

Democracy Corps. [14] November 9, 2012.

60% said there should be no more major cuts to Social Security.
50% support the statement, “Given where our economy is, we should do everything we can to help the middle class, and that means protecting Medicare and Social Security.”

Pew Research Center. [15] October 4-7, 2012.

56% of people oppose gradually raising the retirement age for Social Security.

AP-GfK Poll. [16] August 16-20, 2012.

53% of people favor keeping the same benefits and raising taxes to keeping the same taxes and lowering benefits.

Medicare

Kaiser Family Foundation. [8] January 24, 2013.

58% of Americans think there should be no reductions in Medicare.
60% of Americans think Medicare is working well.
75% of Americans believe deficit reduction can happen without cutting Medicare.
68% of people think drug should be required to give the government cheaper prices for low-income people to reduce Medicare costs.

Pew Research. [9] December 13, 2012.

56% oppose raising the Medicare retirement age to reduce federal deficits.

Gallup. [13] November 9-12, 2012.

95% say it is extremely/very important that Obama take steps to ensure long term stability in Medicare.

AFL-CIO. [12] November 7, 2012.

88% of respondents favor allowing Medicare to negotiate drug policies.

Democracy Corps. [14] November 9, 2012.

60% of people said there should be no more major cuts to Medicare.
50% of respondents support the statement, “Given where our economy is, we should do everything we can to help the middle class, and that means protecting Medicare and Social Security.”

Pew Research Center. [17] August 19-20, 2012.

People oppose turning medicare into a voucher program by 49% to 34%

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. [16] October 12-14, 2012.

People oppose placing strict restrictions how much can be spent on Medicare 49% to 43%.
57% of people oppose placing raising the eligibility age for Medicare part of the solution for deficit spending.

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. [18] September 13-19, 2012.

61% of respondents think that Medicare works well for most seniors.
55% of people said that Medicare should guarantee the same amount of benefits in the future.
58% of people think that there is no need to cut spending for Medicare to reduce the federal deficit.

CBS News/New York Times Poll. [19] September 8-12, 2012.

78% of people said for people under the age of 55 Medicare benefits should remain unchanged for the future.

Medicaid:

Kaiser Family Foundation. [8] January 24, 2013.

52% of people support the Medicaid expansion under the new Affordable Care Act.

American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network/Lake Research Partners. [20] January 23, 2013.

63% of Florida voters said their state should accept the federal funds for Medicaid expansion.
58% of Texas voters said their state should accept the federal funds for Medicaid expansion.
57% of Iowa voters said their state should accept the federal funds for Medicaid expansion.
70% of New Jersey voters said their state should accept the federal funds for Medicaid expansion.

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. [16] October 12-14, 2012.

People oppose placing strict restrictions on how much can be spent on Medicaid by 49% to 43%

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. [21] September 7-9, 2012.

58% of people thought the putting the $716 billion of Medicare funds from the Affordable Care Act into Medicaid was a good use of money.

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. [22] July 17-23, 2012.

People favored President Obama’s handling of Medicaid over candidate Mitt Romney’s plans for Medicaid 44 to 34%

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. [23] November 29 - December 2, 2012

63% of people believe Medicare should not be cut at all to reduce the deficit.

Taxes

Gallup Poll. [24] April 4-7, 2013.

Only 21 percent of people think upper income people pay their fair share of taxes; 61 percent of people think upper income people pay too little.
Only 21 percent of people think corporations pay their fair share of taxes; 66 percent of people think corporations pay too little.

Americans for Tax Fairness/Hart Research. [25] February 7, 2013.

66% of Americans say the richest 2% should pay more in taxes.
64% of Americans think corporations should pay more in taxes.
66 percent of voters say revenue from closing loopholes should go toward public investments and deficit reduction. Only 23 percent say revenue from closing loopholes to go toward paying for lower tax rates.

Pew Research. [9] December 13, 2012.

69% approve of raising taxes on those earning more that $250,000 to reduce federal deficits
52% approve of increasing taxes on investment incomes to reduce the federal deficit

CNN Exit Poll. [26] November 6, 2012.

47% of people say income tax should be raised on people earning more than $250,000.
13% of respondents said increase everyone’s income taxes.

Gallup. [27] April 13. 2012.

60% favor the ‘Buffet Rule.’

Democracy Corps. [14] November 9, 2012.

51% support the statement, “The wealthiest have used tax breaks and loopholes to pay lower tax rates than middle class families. Any new plan to address the deficit should start by closing corporate loopholes and raising taxes for those at the top. A deficit plan should not include cuts in Social Security and Medicare”
44% of those surveyed strongly agreed that, “Any new plan to address the deficit should start by closing corporate loopholes and raising taxes for those at the top” Compared to 27% who strongly opposed raising taxes and instead slashing social services.

Pew Research. [15] October 4-7, 2012.

49 to 44% support increasing the tax on investment income.
58% of people approve of limiting corporate tax deductions.

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. [16] Oct. 12-14, 2012.

55% think letting the Bush tax cuts expire should be part of the solution to deficit spending.

CNN Poll. [28] September 16-18, 2012.

56% of people agreed with the statement, “Taxes on wealthy people should be kept high so the government can use their money for programs to help lower-income people.

Gallup. [29] April 9-12, 2012.

Over the past twenty years the public consistently think taxes should be higher on upper income earners. In 1992 77% thought upper income earners paid too little, in 2003 63% thought so and this year 62% think that upper income earners pay too little in taxes.

Pew Research Center. [30] August 27, 2012.

58% said the rich pay too little in taxes.

AFL-CIO. [12] November 7, 2012.

With their vote in 62% were saying, “We should make sure the wealthy start paying their fair share of taxes.”

Economy

Morning Joe/Marist Poll. [31]March 25-27, 2013.

64 percent of Americans believe creating jobs should be the president’s and Congress’s top priority and only 33 percent of Americans think the top priority should be deficit reduction.

Gallup [32] March 20, 2013.

79% favor a law to give tax incentives to bring jobs home.
77% favor hiring people to do urgent infrastructure repairs. (Drops to 72% if the words “government spending” are used.)
75% favor a government job-creation program to hire one million people. (Also drops to 72% if the words “government spending” are used.)

Bloomberg/Selzer & Co. [33] February 20, 2013.

49% of people prefer proposals to invest in infrastructure, education and alternative energy to create jobs. Compared to 44% who believe tax cuts will generate business.

Gallup [34] January 2, 2013.

53% of Americans think that 2013 will bring full or increasing employment

CNN exit poll. [26] November 6, 2012

59% of say the economy is the biggest issue.

Democracy Corps. [14] November 9, 2012.

51% respondents said “Creating jobs and getting the economy going” is one if the three most important issues facing the country.

Gallup Poll. [35] July 19-22, 2012.

92% of Americans say it is extremely/very important to create jobs.

Gallup. [13] November 9-12, 2012.

95% of americans say Obama needs to take major steps to revitalize the economy and create jobs.

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. [21] September 7-9, 2012.

48% of people think the 2009 stimulus helped the economy a lot, compared to 14% who think it did nothing.

Pew Research Center. [36] July 16, 2012.

44% of Americans think that raising taxes on people earning over $250,000 will help the economy, compared to 22% of people who think those tax hikes would hurt the economy.

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll. [37] November 4, 2012

52% think the economy is recovering.

Pew Research Center. [38] October 29, 2012.

61% of people think the economy is recovering or will recover soon.

Quinnipiac University Poll. [39] December 6, 2012

Only 47 percent said that going over the cliff will be bad for the economy.

Pentagon Spending

Kaiser Family Foundation. [8] January 24, 2013.

52% of Americans want major reductions to the conflict in Afghanistan.

Rasmussen. [40] January 17, 2013.

49% of Americans think that we should with withdraw troops from Western Europe, only 31% disagree

Rasmussen. [41] January 09, 2013.

47% of Americans favor, while only 38% oppose, the nomination of Sen. Charles for Secretary of Defense when they are told he favors cuts to pentagon spending

Program for Public Consultation. [42] May 20, 2012.

62% of Americans would support Congress reducing national defense spending to cut the national debt.
52% of Americans favor cancelling the development of a new long-range bomber
59% Americans favor not building a new aircraft carrier and allowing the number of carriers to decrease from 11 to 10

Reason-Rupe. [43] January 30. 2013.

61% of Americans favor reducing military spending to Clinton era levels. During Clinton's term military spending fell as a portion of the GDP by 1.8 points.

Economist/YouGov. [44] November 17-19, 2012

51% of people favor cutting defense spending to reduce the deficit

Polling Information

Kaiser Family Foundation. January 24, 2013.
Sample of 1,347 adults conducted January 3-9, 2013. Margin of error ± 3 percentage points

AFL-CIO. [12] November 7, 2012.
A sample of 819 voters nationwide, 802 AFL-CIO union members nationwide and 827 Working America members in 11 key states. Margin of error: Union members, ±3.5 percentage points. General Public, ±3.4 percentage points. Working America members, ±4.3 percentage points.

Gallup [45]. November 9-12, 2012.
A random sample of 1,009 adults,margin error is ± 4 percentage points.

Democracy Corps. [46] November 9, 2012.
A sample of 800, 2012 presidential voters, margin of error= ± 3.46 percentage points.

Pew Research Center. [47] October 4-7, 2012.
A sample of 1,511 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 2.9 percentage points.

AP-GfK Poll. [16] August 16-20, 2012.
A sample of 1,006 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3.9 percentage points..

Pew Research Center. [48] August 19-20, 2012
A sample of 1,005 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3.6 percentage points.

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. [18] September 13-19, 2012.
A sample of 1,534 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3 percentage points.

CBS News/New York Times Poll. [19] September 8-12, 2012.
A sample of 1,301 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3 percentage points.

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll. [21] September 7-9, 2012.
A sample of 1,012 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3.7 percentage points.

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. [22] July 17-23, 2012.
A sample of 1,227 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3 percentage points.

Gallup. [27] April 13. 2012.
A sample of 1,016 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 4 percentage points.

CNN Poll. [28] September 16-18, 2012.
A sample of 1,023 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3 percentage points.

Pew Research Center. August 27, 2012. [30]
A sample of 2,508 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 2.8 percentage points.

Gallup Poll. [35] July 19-22, 2012.
A sample of 1,030 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 4 percentage points.

Pew Research Center. [36] July 12-15, 2012.
A sample of 1,015 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 3.6 percentage points.

News/Wall Street Journal Poll. [37]NBC November 1-3, 2012
A sample 1,475 likely voters nationwide. Margin of error of ± 2.6 percentage points.

Pew Research Center. [38] October 24-28, 2012.
A sample of 2,008 adults nationwide. Margin of error of ± 2.5 percentage points.

Quinnipiac University Poll. [39] December 6, 2012
A sample of 1,949 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error of ± 2.2 percentage points.

Rasmussen [41] January, 9 2013.
Sample of1,000 Likely Voters conducted January 7-8, 2013. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

Pew Research. [9] December 13, 2012
Sample of 1,503 adults, conducted December 5-9, 2012. Margin of Error 3.7%

American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network/Lake Research Partners. [20] January 23, 2013.
Sample of 5,968 registered voters December 13-22, 2012. Margin of error, +/-3.5 percentage points.

Omnibus Poll/YouGov. [10] December, 2012.
Sample of 1000 Adult Interviews conducted December 4-5, 2012. Margin of error 4.6 percentage points.

Reason-Rupe. [43] January 30, 2013.
Sample of 1000 adults January 17 to 21, 2013. Margin of Error +/- 3.8 percentage points.

Bloomberg/Selzer & Co. [33] February 20, 2013.
Sample of 1003. Margin of error +/- 3.1 percentage points.

The Economist/YouGov [44] November 17-19, 2012
Sample of 1000 adults conducted November 17-19, 2012. Margin of error +/- 5.4 percentage points

Americans for Tax Fairness/Hart Research. [25] February 7, 2013.
Sample of 1,006 voters conducted January 18 to 22, 2013. Margin of error ±3.1 percentage points.

National Academy of Social Insurance. [11] January 31, 2012.
Sample of 2,000 Americans ages 21+ conducted from September 17-24, 2012.

Rasmussen. [40] January 17, 2013.
Sample of 1,000 Likely Voters conducted January 13-14, 2013. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

Gallup [32] March 20, 2013.
Sample of approximately 1000 adults conducted March 2-5, 2013. Margin of error +/- 4 percentage points.

Gallup Poll. [24] April 4-7, 2013.
A sample of 1,005 adults nationwide. Margin of error +/- 4 percentage points.

Kaiser Family Foundation. [8] January 24, 2013.
A sample of 1,204 adults nationwide conducted from March 5-10 2013. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

The Washington Post/ABC News poll. [7] April 16, 2013.
A sample of 1,003 adults nationwide conducted from 11-14, April 2013.

Morning Joe/Marist Poll. [49]March 25-27, 2013.
A sample of 1,061 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points.

For older polls click here [50].

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Links:
[1] http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2012125117/american-majority-project-polling#SocialSecurity
[2] http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2012125117/american-majority-project-polling#Medicare
[3] http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2012125117/american-majority-project-polling#Medicaid
[4] http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2012125117/american-majority-project-polling#Taxes
[5] http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2012125117/american-majority-project-polling#Economy
[6] http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2012125117/american-majority-project-polling#PentagonSpending
[7] http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/04/16/obama-budget-starts-underwater-with-public/
[8] http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/upload/8405-F.pdf
[9] http://www.people-press.org/2012/12/13/as-fiscal-cliff-nears-democrats-have-public-opinion-on-their-side/
[10] http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/cliffproposaltoplines.pdf
[11] http://www.nasi.org/sites/default/files/research/What_Do_Americans_Want.pdf
[12] https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TGQPrvxJ5ODgSPf4CL-aS1HKVmrzM4UF70gso4IUa1o/edit#slide=id.p73
[13] http://www.gallup.com/poll/158834/economy-entitlements-iran-americans-top-priorities.aspx
[14] http://www.democracycorps.com/attachments/article/927/dcor.ecnpe.graphs.110912.v10.pdf
[15] http://www.people-press.org/2012/10/12/deep-divisions-over-debt-reduction-proposals/
[16] http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/public-would-accept-tax-hikes-in-debt-deal-20121016
[17] http://www.people-press.org/2012/08/21/medicare-voucher-plan-remains-unpopular/
[18] http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/upload/8361-F.pdf
[19] http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/09/15/us/politics/New-York-Times-CBS-Poll-Results.html
[20] http://www.acscan.org/content/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ACS-CAN-Report_National-Summary-Final.pdf
[21] http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/poll-americans-wary-of-changes-to-medicare-20120911
[22] http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/upload/8339-F.pdf
[23] http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/poll-shows-public-wants-entitlements-left-untouched-20121204
[24] http://www.gallup.com/poll/1714/taxes.aspx
[25] http://www.americansfortaxfairness.org/press/2013/02/07/national-poll-on-tax-reform-two-thirds-of-voters-believe-top-2-corporations-should-pay-more-taxes/
[26] http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/results/race/president#exit-polls
[27] http://www.gallup.com/poll/153887/americans-favor-buffett-rule.aspx
[28] http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/26/cnn-poll-two-thirds-say-fiscal-cliff-poses-major-problem/
[29] http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/w9dtsj0zceapzvzavodzxw.gif
[30] http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/08/27/yes-the-rich-are-different/
[31] http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/A_Politics/_Today_Stories_Teases/MJ_Marist Poll Release_April-2013.pdf#page=3
[32] http://www.gallup.com/poll/161438/americans-widely-back-government-job-creation-proposals.aspx
[33] http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-21/obama-rated-at-3-year-high-in-poll-republicans-at-bottom.html
[34] http://www.gallup.com/poll/159596/americans-unsure-best-times-past.aspx
[35] http://www.gallup.com/poll/156347/americans-next-president-prioritize-jobs-corruption.aspx
[36] http://www.people-press.org/2012/07/16/raising-taxes-on-rich-seen-as-good-for-economy-fairness/
[37] http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/wsjpollnovember2012.pdf
[38] http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-pdf/10-29-12 FINAL Political Release.pdf
[39] http://www.nationaljournal.com//domesticpolicy/poll-on-fiscal-cliff-shows-support-for-obama-tax-hike-on-rich-20121206
[40] http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/january_2013/49_think_u_s_should_withdraw_troops_from_europe
[41] http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/january_2013/47_for_38_against_hagel_nomination_when_told_he_has_called_for_defense_cuts
[42] https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/355447-defense-budget-survey-full-results.html
[43] http://reason.com/assets/db/13595247487633.pdf
[44] http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/co13jzvbau/econTabReport.pdf
[45] http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.gallup.com/poll/158834/economy-entitlements-iran-americans-top-priorities.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE1HA7whOyTXNA2uooAYNY9LQi2Kg
[46] http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.democracycorps.com/attachments/article/927/dcor.ecnpe.graphs.110912.v10.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGFi-PzgI8CFIv7-3SZSj0k4uexUQ
[47] http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.people-press.org/2012/10/12/deep-divisions-over-debt-reduction-proposals/&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGBrwi0l9B25swM775xHIX24Z228g
[48] http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.people-press.org/2012/08/21/medicare-voucher-plan-remains-unpopular/&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGQXu7K6STY9IlCvVPRjnbzcE2gHA
[49] http://pollingreport.com/budget.htm
[50] http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2011051806/american-majority-project-polling