The tax-cut package is extremely unpopular, and it's not hard to see why

[Rogue Valley]

The tax-cut package is extremely unpopular, and it's not hard to see why

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By Ben White
November 17, 2017

Republicans' biggest problem is not getting this tax-cut plan approved. Their problem is that the public mostly despises what they are doing and may give them no political reward for it in 2018 or beyond. The latest survey from Quinnipiac out this week found that just 25 percent of voters approve of the GOP tax-cut plan while 52 percent disapprove. A majority of voters, 61 percent, believe the plan will benefit the wealthy, while just 24 percent view it as good for the middle class. The Quinnipiac survey merely confirms previous polls showing very low support for the tax-cut plan. A recent NBC News/Wall Street journal poll also found that just 25 percent of voters view the GOP plan as a "good idea." Public opinion surveys consistently show Americans, including in Trump's blue-collar base, believe corporations and the rich should pay more in tax, not less.

The numbers are even worse on the Senate side, where the state and local deduction is eradicated entirely and individual tax cuts expire in 2025 while a less-generous measure of inflation remains and will push people more quickly into higher tax brackets. By 2027, according to the JCT, everyone earning less than $75,000 on average would face a tax increase. And those earning between $20,000 and $30,000 would see a 25 percent hike. So Republicans could wind up celebrating enactment of a tax bill that the public despises. They will get some benefit of saying they got something done. And the donor class, which is leaning hard on the GOP to slam this bill through, will probably keep the money flowing to Republican candidates in ways they would not if the bill failed. But they will also be handing a potentially powerful weapon to Democrats who are already enjoying significant momentum heading into the 2018 midterms. This is because Democrats want to be able to say next year that Republicans slashed rates for the rich and corporations while offering relatively little to the middle class and hitting some voters with significant tax increases. Right now, the public is receptive to those arguments. And coupled with Trump's historic low approval ratings, this could be a ticket to sweeping midterm wins for Democrats.

The GOP tax reform proposals are as Middle America unfriendly as the failed GOP healthcare reforms.

Related: Tax reform proposal would hurt all segments of higher education, critics say

 

[joG]

The tax-cut package is extremely unpopular, and it's not hard to see why

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The GOP tax reform proposals are as Middle America unfriendly as the failed GOP healthcare reforms.

Related: Tax reform proposal would hurt all segments of higher education, critics say

I haven’t read it. But the various opinions and comments on CNBC and Bloomberg were much less negative than that article. They don’t expect major benefits. They didn’t mostly think it would do harm, if spending is reduced.

 

[Visbek]

The GOP tax reform proposals are as Middle America unfriendly as the failed GOP healthcare reforms.

Yep, but Congressional Republicans don't care. The donors are screaming "DO SOMETHING" and they are obliging them. They are listening to donors, not constituents.

 

[DaveFagan]

It is extremely popular with the .01%. Cui bono! If Representatives represent the USA electorate, this tax package will be rejected. If the Tax Package is passed, you can be certain that our Representatives do not represent the common interest.
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[Greenbeard]

 

[MAGAnificent]

The tax-cut package is extremely unpopular, and it's not hard to see why

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The GOP tax reform proposals are as Middle America unfriendly as the failed GOP healthcare reforms.

Related: Tax reform proposal would hurt all segments of higher education, critics say

It's only unpopular if one is silly enough to take polls seriously after the 2016 election.

 

[Fletch]

The tax-cut package is extremely unpopular, and it's not hard to see why

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The GOP tax reform proposals are as Middle America unfriendly as the failed GOP healthcare reforms.

Related: Tax reform proposal would hurt all segments of higher education, critics say

I am leery of these types of polls. I don't believe that 52% of the nation even knows whats in the bill let alone disapproves of it. Ill bet if you asked 100 random people on the street what was in the bill, only two could give a coherent answer.

 

[CletusWilbury]

I agree with this article:
The G.O.P. Is Fooling Itself on Taxes David Leonhardt NOV. 18, 2017

...
How did Republicans do this to themselves?

Above all, they refused to heed the lessons of 2016 — of Trump’s shocking romp through the primaries and even more shocking general-election win. In a time of deep economic dissatisfaction, among members of both parties, Republican leaders insisted on basing their plan around an enormous tax cut for the wealthy. Doing so pleased their donors and trickle-down true believers, but it is worth pausing for a moment on the cynicism of the plan. In substance, it is almost the direct opposite of the party’s middle-class rhetoric.

“The G.O.P.,” Henry Olsen, a conservative policy expert, recently said, “really wants to do nothing other than cut taxes for businesspeople and the top bracket based on what can only be called religious devotion to supply-side theory.”
...
The plan, says Martin Sullivan, chief economist at Tax Analysts, a highly regarded research group, has “stunningly meager tax benefits for middle class.”
...
True, another failed attempt at major legislation would be a big political problem for the Republicans. But passing a hastily written, deficit-busting bill that harms the middle class would not be great, either. It’s impossible for these senators to solve their party’s political troubles. They may as well do the right thing.

 

[ludin]

I am leery of these types of polls. I don't believe that 52% of the nation even knows whats in the bill let alone disapproves of it. Ill bet if you asked 100 random people on the street what was in the bill, only two could give a coherent answer.

The only thing they constantly hear is the same thing liberals always shout about tax cuts. It's for the rich.
I would say only 1 could give you an answer.

I would pay even less under the senate bill than the house bill. That is before payroll taxes.
The senate bill has more brackets though. I think the brackets will be he fight between the two.

I see the brackets being redone. 10% will be the lowest and he rest to follow.

 

[Former GOP]

Libs like to rant about how these tax cuts are only benefitting the wealthy millionaires. Well honestly that doesn't bother me because many so-called wealthy millionaires own businesses who create jobs for the lower and middle income people. Business owners are faced with enough taxes and regulations, they deserve a break.

My main issue with the tax bill is it doesn't cut spending. Trump and the GOP should have learned that cutting federal taxes without cutting federal spending increases the national debt. Later on depending largely on the economy, tax hikes might be necessary to make up for what wasn't cut in spending.

Another issue I have is all these unnecessary tax credits, such as the earned income credit and the child tax credit. Both of them reward lower income breeders who have no goddamn business making babies in the first place.