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The Democratic Strategist

Political Strategy for a Permanent Democratic Majority

TDS Co-Editor Ruy Teixeira: Jobs Trump Deficit As Public Priority

The latest unemployment stats bring a timely reminder about the importance of jobs as a central concern of Americans. In his latest ‘Public Opinion Snapshot’ at the Center for American Progress website, TDS Co-Editor Ruy Teixeira, explains just how important jobs are as a public priority in light of the most recent opinion survey data:

There is no question that the public has become more sensitive to the deficit in the last year… The public’s deficit sensitivity does not translate into a view that deficit reduction is a more important priority than jobs and the economy. In a mid-December CNN poll, the public was asked what should be more important for the Obama administration—reducing the deficit even if that slowed down economic recovery or stimulating economic recovery even if that meant less deficit reduction. By 57-40, the public chose stimulating economic recovery.
When the choice was creating more jobs even if there was less deficit reduction or reducing the deficit even if unemployment remained high, the result was even more lopsided. By 3:1 (74-25), the public favored creating more jobs.

Teixeira concludes that “while policymakers should be sensitive to public concern about the deficit, they should not forget that jobs are still the top priority.”

2 comments on “TDS Co-Editor Ruy Teixeira: Jobs Trump Deficit As Public Priority

  1. Tater Salad on

    President Obama sure sounded like he was for the everyman on the campaign trail when he pledged ‘no taxes’ on 95% of working Americans. Of course, he doesn’t seem to count indirect taxation as a tax. For example, when he breaks his promise and decides to go through with a tax on so called Cadillac insurance plans, that is a tax on millions of Americans. And contrary to popular belief, subscribing to a Cadillac plan doesn’t necessarily mean you are a fat cat millionaire. Many people sacrifice elsewhere in order to have a great health plan for their families. This will break their backs

    Reply
  2. George Ortega on

    When we consider that the top tax rate has gone from 91 percent under Eisenhower to about 35 percent today, it seems clear that jobs or deficit reduction is a false choice.
    For years, the rich have been taking an unfair share of American productivity gains. It’s time that fairness be invoked in solving our economic woes.

    Reply

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