Of course the rich should pay more taxes. In the early sixties the highest rate was over 90%. Kennedy cut it to the 70% range. Further cuts got it down to about 25- 30% under Reagan. It has hovered in the 30's since then and is currently around 38% I think.

For the rich and poor, the rates have always been meaningless due to loopholes and shelters for the truly rich and exclusions for the poor. The middle class has always paid the freight. When the Dems talk about soaking the rich they include about 75% of the middle class who just don't realize they are rich.

I would favor a graduated flat tax capped at about 25-30% and a national sales tax on luxury items. You wouldn't hear many elected officials talking about raising taxes if tax avoidance wasn't so easy as it is under the current tax codes.

From taxes, to health care, to education, our leaders live under different rules than those they impose on the motoring public.