Ah, but John, the tax rate on the rich in the U.S. is the lowest its been since the Great Depression. There's a fact for ya. And it matters.

About time we went back to the rates under the Eisenhower administration- a Republican, if I recall- when the top rate was 92% & business was booming. It was 91% thry 1963.

2/3 of those making less than $50K pay no Federal Income Tax.

Nonsense. I'd like to see some proof of this.

About 69,000,000 wage earners pay no federal income tax.

Yup, the people making minimum wage, the pool boys, the bedpan changers, the gardeners, the toilet cleaners & the burger flippers. But they DO pay payroll tax, Social Security, State taxes and sales taxes & etc.

Better wring some more money out of them while the rich & the corporations get away paying nothing or next to nothing & keep buying those tax-free secutirties & bonds.

"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.

"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"

"They are. Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."

"The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge.

"Both very busy, sir."

"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."

"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"

"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.

"You wish to be anonymous?"

"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."

"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."

"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.