May I suggest that people here focus a little less on self-congratulatory outrage and maybe spend a little more time actually studying American economic history? The idea of the progressive tax is enshrined in the writing of Adam Smith–yes, the godfather of capitalism. Here’s what he says: “It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion.”
If a progressive tax equals class warfare and socialism, then every president and every congressman elected since 1913 is a hateful socialist. If you don’t believe that ridiculous statement, then this whole Joe the Plumber argument is a bunch of nonsense. Make your choice and at least have enough guts to say which you really believe.
