The American Spectator

That tattoo on his face gives me this irrational thought that he has surrendered to becoming more demon and less a man. I hope there is someone who loves Mr. Tyson who will help him.
— Bill Zerbe

THE BARNARD POLL
Re: Warren Engelberg’s “Double Steal” letter in Reader Mail’s Things Are Looking Up:

I truly feel sorry for the likes of Warren Engelberg. His delusions are getting the best of him. As is typical with certain liberals, he cites a figure that he admits he cannot back up with a source. This in turn allows his little mind to throw out his unsubstantiated rhetoric. (“I have read, sorry I can’t quote the original source, 80% of Americans want increased taxes and greater entitlements.”)

So I decided to do a little research for the poor soul. Something I rarely do since I feel liberals should be forced to produce their own facts. Anyway, here is what I found doing Google searches on “taxes versus services polls” and “tax cuts or more services polls,” etc. I found many references, most dated somewhat, and then wrote an e-mail to John Zogby asking for advice on similar polls.

— April 2002 Marist College poll in New York; 55% prefer cuts in state jobs (35%) and/or services (20%) versus 30% that want to raise taxes.

— April 2002 Quinnipiac College poll in New York; 52% cut services and 34% raise taxes.

— 2000 Florida International University (Institute for Public Opinion Research) poll; 49.2% cut services and 50.8% raise taxes.

— December 2002 Quinnipiac College poll in New Jersey; 61% cut services while only 28% said raise taxes.

— January 31, 2003 KAET Arizona poll; 33% cut programs, 32% sale or lease state owned assets with 20% wanting to increase taxes.

— March 10, 2003 Mason-Dixon poll for Florida; 49% to 45% willing to raise taxes for healthcare only but large margins opposed to raising taxes for public safety and public education.

None of the polls I found (and I’m still looking, especially for more national polls which I know favor less taxes and less services over more taxes and more services) come even close to Mr. Engelberg’s 80% figure except for one:

A May 15, 2003 poll taken by the Sun-Sentinel for the state of Florida. But the wording is highly biased and unscientific since it was an Internet poll.

“Legislators are ready to enact $300 million in tax cuts to business and wealthier residents, even as they slash spending in education, social programs and arts to balance the budget. Right or wrong?

80.0% - Wrong. They shouldn’t hand out tax breaks when they’re having to cut essential programs. (2865 responses)

20.0% - Right. These tax cuts will help the economy, and the intangibles tax cut was previously promised to residents. (718 responses)”

Nice try, Warren. Now who lives in a bubble?
— Greg Barnard
Franklin, TN