Poll: Wealthy should be taxed more

Rochester, N.Y. -- A majority of adults in eight countries, including France, Great Britain and China, said the wealthy should pay higher taxes, a Harris Poll indicated.

The figures ranged from just more than half -- 51 percent -- of survey respondents in France indicating the wealthy should be taxed more to 77 percent in Japan, who indicated the same, Harris Poll reported Friday.

Respondents with lower incomes in all eight countries -- including the United States, Spain, Germany and Italy -- had "stronger" views on the subject, the report said. Among lower income groups, the range started at 61 percent in the United States and stopped at 90 percent in China.

A majority of respondents in all eight countries indicated the gap between the rich and poor in their homeland was too wide. In Germany, 87 percent indicated the gap was too wide. Respondents from Japan indicated the gap was too wide 64 percent of the time.

The Financial Times/Harris Poll survey of 8,748 adults was conducted April 30-May 14.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.