TD is right to call foul on you and haymarket. CBO data has been listed time and time again on this site, as it was listed to me years ago by Solidus, and countless times by various individuals.
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/Average_rates_3.pdf
Total Average Federal Tax Rate
Starting with the lowest income quintile to the highest quintile, then going beyond that to the top 10%, top 5%, and top % income earners, every single step UP the income scale, sees an average INCREASE in federal tax rate.
Clearly the higher quintile pays more in average federal income tax, and in terms of rate. The top 10%. The top 5%. The top 1%.
You want to also see the CBO data that shows how much of the overall tax BURDEN those higher incomes carry compared to all the lower incomes? It's staggering, but I'm sure you have seen that today too, right?
Now, do you accept this, or not? If so, what is your position now?
Only high profile thing they should change is the hedge fund salary loophole using cap gains rates in lieu of ordinary income rates. That's not anti-rich, that's IMO, pay your share. There may be issues I don't know about with it, but it's the one thing that irks me when I hear it beacuse my ****ing 3x% rate, higher when you add in all other taxation, is staggering and I don't make a fraction of what they make...