Obama Trusted on Economy - NYTimes.com When it comes to dealing with the country's economic problems, Americans give President Obama the upper hand, according to a national poll released Friday. Nearly half, 48 percent, said they trust Mr. Obama more to develop solutions to the nation's economic problems, compared with the 32 percent who trust Congressional Republicans more. As for what would be effective in reducing the nation's deficit, about three in four Americans said raising taxes on family incomes over $250,000 would be. Nearly as many said reducing taxes and regulations to spur economic growth would be effective. Fewer, but still a majority of respondents, said increasing taxes on all Americans, reducing military spending and reducing programs that benefit the poor, like welfare and Medicaid, would be effective in getting the country's finances under control. Just a third of Americans, however, say reducing spending on Social Security and Medicare would be effective. The survey, the Heartland Monitor Poll, was conducted for Allstate and The National Journal. Asked what they thought would most help the country improve over the next couple of years, 43 percent said "growing the economy and creating jobs through investments in education, training, infrastructure, and research, even if it means continued deficits and tax increases." Fewer, 29 percent, said "growing the economy and creating jobs through tax cuts for businesses and individuals, even if it means continued deficits and cuts to public services." Fewer still, 22 percent, said "reducing the federal deficit, even if it means both tax increases and cuts to public services." The national poll was conducted Nov. 25 to Dec. 1 by landline phones and cellphones among 1,000 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.