Poll shows strong support for both 'Buffett rule' and Keystone XL pipeline

People want jobs and for the government to take more from the wealthiest minority of Americans, big surprise.

A new poll conducted by United Technologies and The National Journal surveying the American people's support of key ideas laid out in President Obama's State of the Union address last week found that the commander in chief could rely on overwhelming support for his proposal to tax American companies operating abroad, and more than average encouragement to tax anyone who earns at least $1 million at a minimum rate of 30 percent of their annual income.

"By a whopping 76-percent-to-19-percent margin, Americans agreed with Obama’s proposal to 'impose a minimum tax on money American companies earn from their operations abroad to discourage them from creating jobs overseas and encourage them to create jobs in the U.S.'  When it comes to the so-called Buffett Rule—named for billionaire investor Warren Buffett—65 percent surveyed agreed with the proposition that Congress should “establish a new rule that anyone who earns at least $1 million annually must pay at least 30 percent of their income in taxes,' while just 31 percent disagreed. "

While the President can hang his hat on public support to increase taxes on millionaires and businesses exporting jobs abroad, those surveyed were unhappy with the President's decision to snub the Keystone XL pipeline and the thousands of jobs it could create, due to environmental concerns.

"One thing the president did not mention in his speech was his position on the Keystone XL pipeline to carry oil from Canada to the United States. Supporters of the pipeline say it will ease America’s dependence on Mideast oil and create jobs. Opponents fear the environmental impact of building a pipeline. What about you—do you support or oppose building the Keystone XL pipeline?' Sixty-four percent of respondents favored its construction, while only 22 percent opposed it."

The two populist issues both promise to create jobs and offer political gain for each party, support for the Buffet Rule taxing the rich to aid Democrats, support of the pipeline to aid Republicans. Either way, respondents are in agreement that the issues are likely not going to be solved any time soon, with an eye-popping 70 percent of those surveyed saying it was not too likely or not at all likely that the president and Congress would agree on the major ideas Obama presented.