Republicans are lying about why they were elected: Tax Cuts and Union Busting was not issue. Americans want jobs.

The American people have spoken, in this recent New York Times/CBS News poll. Once again we’re finding out that what we’re being told by Republican ideologues like Rep. Paul Ryan, Gov. Walker and Christ is completely opposite of voter want, and that what they’re selling is not what the American public is buying:

A majority of Americans say they oppose efforts, nearly two to one, to weaken the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions-60 percent to 33 percent and are also against cutting the pay or benefits of public workers to reduce state budget deficits-56 percent to 37 percent. 

The nationwide poll found that embattled public employee unions have the support of most Americans — and most independents. Labor unions are not exactly popular, though: 

A third of those surveyed viewed them favorably, a quarter viewed them unfavorably, and the rest said they were either undecided or had not heard enough about them. 

A slim majority of Republicans favored taking away some bargaining rights. The poll found that an overwhelming 71 percent of Democrats opposed weakening collective bargaining rights. But there was also strong opposition from independents: 

62 percent of them said they opposed taking bargaining rights away from public employee unions. 

A majority of respondents who have no union members living in their households opposed both cuts in pay or benefits and taking away the collective bargaining rights of public employees.

This poll also smashes the myth pushed by this new generation of conservative politicians; Republicans continue to pretend vocally that Americans will not accept another tax increase. That major outright lie allows Republicans to justify balancing budgets with draconian cuts to spending while slowly convincing Americans they’re getting paid way too much.

Tax increases were not as unpopular among those surveyed as they are among many governors, who have vowed to avoid them. Asked how they would choose to reduce their state’s deficits, those polled preferred tax increases over benefit cuts for state workers by nearly two to one. Given a list of options to reduce the deficit, 40 percent said they would increase taxes, 22 percent chose decreasing the benefits of public employees, 20 percent said they would cut financing for roads and 3 percent said they would cut financing for education.

As far as Obama and the Democrats taking orders from their union bosses:

The poll found that 37 percent of those surveyed believe that labor unions have “too much influence” on American life and politics, while 48 percent said they had the “right amount” or “too little” influence.