We need a new Democratic Party

[sulphurdunn]

80. Your figures are only

for federal income taxes, not FICA, capital gains, state or local taxes, most of which are capped or regressive. Those at the bottom pay much, much more of their real income in taxes. For the sake of argument though, let's assume there is total across the board equality in tax rates, a sort of universal flat tax that takes exactly 10% from everyone and no more. Who is burdened more, the one paying 10% on a $10,000 income of the one paying the same rate on a $10,000,000 income? Your figures also fail to note that a majority of the 1% receive their income primarily from wages and salaries and are not privy to sophisticated tax avoidance and financial schemes yet are still averaged into the only income group without an upper income limit. As incomes increase, approaching that of the 0.1% of taxpayers, actual taxation drops precipitously and mirrors rates paid by the poorest tax payers.