I even have some sympathy for the idea that higher taxes on the rich will not necessarily trickle down to the rest of the economy. That used to work when there were more rich people, but they weren't quite as rich.

But the wealth distribution towards the higher economic brackets is getting more dramatic every day, and even if they don't collectively have enough wealth to make a difference, they should at least be able to suffer along with the rest of us.
At any rate, I'm not going to take their word for it. They have every incentive to lie, and if history is any guide, they do.

After all, they own this economy, they have responsibility for it, and they always are ready to take credit for it when times are good.

I think I've done fairly well for myself, too. I'm not rich, but I'm comfortable, and I have my dignity. I think the society has given me the opportunities to exercise my talent and my skills, I am grateful for that, and I don't resent doing my share to pay it forward. I would be willing to take a substantial cut in my benefits if I were convinced others were sacrificing as well. I've never complained that taxes were too high, because I've always felt that the rich were paying their share.

But I don't have any illusions that this situation will persist much longer in this country. If the ship is sinking, then the rich should take their turn at the pumps. Maybe when they feel that cold, greasy water around their ankles, they'll finally realize that we're all in the same boat.