Do you think the rich in the US?

A 'progressive' system is by definition NOT equal.

Until 'fair share' is actually defined I will assume anyone using the term is merely an envious class warrior.

"why should investment income be taxed at a lower rate than earned work income?"-

Well for one, investment income has risk.You can't lose money working at a job. If investment income was taxed at the same rate most people would lose money. Second, investment should be encouraged because it benefits everyone. If I buy stock in Apple then they use that money to hire people (jobs) who then make new products which are sold to the public (the public get new products like ipod, iphone etc and also get cheaper prices because of the increased competition). Even if you don't work for Apple you still benefit because the people that do work there will come in and buy stuff at wherever you work. So, everyone benefits from it.

No, any of us can do what they do by putting in the effort.

I have a brother-in-law who started with no money and he is rich now. It took him over 20 years of very hard, focused, and smart work. He started as an employee for a company, worked hard and learned what he needed to know, went out and started his own small businesses. He did the work and took the risks.

Now, he invests and does all the interesting things with his money - he had to learn that as well.

And, he has always paid taxes, a lot more than I ever have.

He did not make the system, he works within it. I know others like him.

I have a problem with people who envy those who succeed. I am not even close to wealthy (actually would be considered poor) and am not interested in doing the things needed to be wealthy. I am content and happy in my life so I do not envy him or others like him.

Even though you got lost in your question, I agree with the original premise.

The rich have an unfair advantage do to their buying our representatives, paying for the legislation they want to be passed, and leaving the Middle Class to pay the bill, our taxes!

A Flat tax on all income no matter where you make it, how you make it, would lower the rate for all Americans.

The rich do pay their fair share. Obama is a rich man by the standards of many and he pays a fair tax. If he wants he can write a check to the US Treasury any time he desires. Of course he hasn't.

I believe the first $250,000 of individual income should be exempt and everything past that taxed at 30 percent, no loopholes, no deductions, no write-offs.

Yes, the rich have unfair advantages. They bought D.C. long ago.

@Major Deek, I would prefer to go to heaven with the saints than to hell with the super wealthy.

Of course they do!They have been writing the laws for the last 40 years to benefit the rich!Which is why we have tax havens to begin with!

I agree and why should people who do not work get an earned income credit just because they can squat out a kid. Meanwhile us middle class folks get butt raped.

You can do EXACTLY what they do if you can figure it out yourself.

Children whine about others who know how to do what they can't.

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