Tax Deductions are a HUGE form of welfare, and the richest people are getting the most welfare

[hfojvt]

152. but even in Connecticut

many of those households with two earners are making less than $73,000 - 60% of them are, and 40% making less than $44,000. A two income household making $40,000 has two people to pay maintenance and utilities

(and the "great" thing about a utility bill is that you can usually double usage without doubling the bill. I pay $15.40 a month for garbage removal. If I had a spouse and two kids, I would pay $15.40 a month. I pay $18 a month for water and sewer. My family of four might pay $30. A couple might pay $22. Utility bills are set up to have single people subsidize families.)

but they also have to buy food for two people, clothing for two people, might need two cars, and so on.

As for the 14% federal tax rate. A household making less than $24,000 is probably paying a negative tax rate. But I bet they would love, if they had that option, for their income to goto $72,000 even if they got hit with a 14% tax rate. Even after federal and state taxes that would leave them $26,000 ahead, more than doubling their income. And you have $10,000 more than that.