45% don't owe U.S. income tax. These households will pay NO Federal Income Tax in 2010.

CNN Money ^ | 04/17/2011 | Jeanne Sahadi

[sickoflibs]

RE :”As long as voters can vote for federal stuff that they dont have to pay for, Democrats will aways have the edge......May not quite “always.” Obama and some Dems extended the Bush tax because, at that time, polls showed that's what voters wanted.”

Obama’s tax plans were thrown by the economy that did not improve as he was hoping. He wanted Cap and trade taxes which would have been purposely hidden. There was even some indication he wanted the middle class Bush tax cuts to expire, until the economy fizzed last summer.

Because the economy looked so crappy, and he was up for election in exactly two years I figured and posted (last summer) that Obama secretly wanted no tax increases even on the rich at that time, I went against the (Rush-bo) tide of opinion here and predicted he would sign an extension, with the custimary complaining to keep his liberal base .

What do the voters want? It depends on the poll questions. If you generically ask them if they want taxes to go up versus spending cuts you get different answer than asking ‘Would you rather raise taxes on the wealthly versus cut these specific programs?”

We all know that voters will poll for things that turn out bad for them and then get mad at those in power.

[Republic of Texas]

That’s about the same percentage of people who voted for Obama.

[Marine_Uncle]

Agree with your comments. It is such a mixed bag. I grossed under $25K in 2010. Still ended up paying 25% between SS, FICA, Fed, State, Local (more then the state in my case).
Not everyone fits into the same set of conditions. What is obviously wrong are for so many that work under the table so to speak, often making pretty good money and not paying a dime in any tax. And some being so proud of that fact.

[CodeToad]

Make everyone pay their fair share: TAX THE “POOR”...THEY PAY NOTHING!!!

[CodeToad]

As the Romans knew, an empire is toast when the people can vote themselves money from the treasury. We’re toast.

[dfili]

I got nearly 8000 back this year, how much fed taxes were taken out 0.00. I have a large family and filed nothing but standard deductions. I have recieved 20000 the last three years, paid 0.00. We make a nice living, own a home, eat well and yet when I file taxes, I get money back I did not earn. It has helped no question, who wouldn't be helped by extra money. But my returns shouldn't be any more than I have paid in, 0.00. Solve a problem no returns larger than the amount of taxes paid in.
What they don't say is how many people got larger returns than the amount paid in, I am sure it is significant

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Sounds like the title is misleading. If they withheld $5000 from your pay and you got $3000 in a refund, you still paid $2000 tax. Sounds like about half of the 45% actually did pay some income tax. “

Hard to believe ANYTHING you read anymore ;-)