Regarding taxation, the Bush tax changes have not changed the % distribution of Federal Income taxes, and I have referenced that data from the IRS before.  The lower 50% of wage owners pay less than 4% of the tax bill.

Yes, of course they have changed the distribution of Federal Income taxes, if the % distribution has not changed, while income inequality has increased.

And the % tax contribution typically cited ignores payroll taxes, with a baseline payroll tax rate of 15.3%, reduced to 2.9% above $97,500 (2007).


I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.