Registered Voters
A flat rate tax system applies one tax rate to all income. Under a flat rate tax system, do you think each of the following would pay higher taxes, lower taxes, or about the same amount of taxes as they pay now:
The middle class?
Higher taxes Lower taxes Same amount of taxes Unsure
Row % Row % Row % Row %
Registered Voters 37% 14% 43% 6%
Party Identification Democrat 46% 8% 40% 6%
Republican 32% 16% 46% 6%
Independent 34% 17% 43% 6%
Tea Party Supporters 25% 20% 47% 8%
Political Ideology Very liberal-Liberal 48% 14% 34% 4%
Moderate 39% 13% 42% 6%
Conservative-Very conservative 30% 16% 48% 7%
Region Northeast 39% 16% 39% 6%
Midwest 37% 19% 40% 3%
South 34% 12% 47% 7%
West 40% 11% 41% 7%
Household Income Less than $50,000 36% 13% 44% 7%
$50,000 or more 38% 15% 42% 5%
Education Not college graduate 35% 13% 47% 6%
College graduate 41% 17% 37% 6%
Age Under 45 37% 10% 50% 3%
45 or older 37% 15% 40% 7%
Age 18 to 29 37% 8% 55% <1%
30 to 44 37% 11% 46% 6%
45 to 59 40% 18% 39% 3%
60 or older 36% 13% 41% 10%
Generation Millennials (18-30) 34% 7% 57% 2%
Gen X (31-46) 38% 16% 42% 4%
Baby Boomers (47-65) 42% 17% 38% 4%
Silent-Greatest (Over 65) 31% 11% 45% 13%
Race White 37% 15% 41% 6%
Non-white 36% 10% 49% 6%
Gender Men 34% 15% 46% 5%
Women 39% 13% 40% 8%
Interview Type Landline 38% 15% 40% 7%
Cell Phone 34% 11% 53% 2%
Marist Poll National Registered Voters: Interviews conducted November 8th through 10th, 2011, N=872 MOE +/- 3.5%. Totals may not add to 100% due to rounding.