The most progressive tax code since the early eighties?

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6. actually, i think the "99%" figure was both accurate and politically genius

if you want to go and divide ourselves against each other, no thanks, i'll have no part of it.

the fact of the matter is that the real distinction between rich and even upper, upper middle class is that the middle class still, realistically needs to work for a living. they may have nicer houses and cars and neighborhoods than the rest of us, but if they still have to work every day to support it all, then they're still living a lifestyle fundamentally similar to the rest of us.

it's the 1%, the truly rich, for whom work is optional, and becomes a game. these people could retire at any point and be quite comfortable, but for the most part these people move mountains and toy with our lives for the thrill of it. that's a very different lifestyle and type of class.


in any event, my o.p. was intended to compare what's contemplated in the latest deal with what we've actually had in the past, rather than what we theoretically could have had. the amt has ALWAYS been patched, afaik, and will be in this deal, so there's really no difference at all. the only difference is that the patch is permanent. like i said, i suppose i should have just dropped it from the o.p.

point is, we have higher clinton era tax rates for the rich, and shrub era tax rates for the middle and working classes, and obama era credits for those struggling. it's hardly perfect, but it may be the best tax code we've had since reagan trashed it.