I was doing a little thinking and research about taxes at wikipedia. When the country was founded there were none. But consistently through the years when the US was at war or through the rebirth of America post WWII, taxes were higher in the US than perhaps anywhere in the world. One may say that the high taxes on top incomes are what made this country what it is today.
Perhaps democrats and republicans should look to history instead of lobbyists and corporations for direction on how to solve our budget and deficit issues.
“In 1932 the top marginal tax rate was increased to 63% during the Great Depression and steadily increased, reaching 94% (on all income over $200,000) in 1945. Top marginal tax rates stayed near or above 90% until 1964 when the top marginal tax rate was lowered to 70%. The top marginal tax rate was lowered to 50% in 1982 and eventually to 28% in 1988.” source: wikipedia