Couple things to consider:

MarkS, your figures are correct, but more needs to be examined to tell the whole story. For example, what group can least afford to pay taxes at all? Again for example, what percentage of total income in each group is paid in taxes? If I make $500,000 a year and pay $50,000 in taxes, that means I am in the top group of taxes paid. And if I make $15,000 a year and pay $1,500 in taxes I am in the lowest group. But in which case can I most afford the taxes paid? BTW, the argument that the two people mentioned do not pay the same percentage does not stand up under close examination because the higher income has a LOT more chances to find exemptions.

Second: When talking about companies not using American workers because they are paid more has some flaws. Take at any major American company and look at the salaries of the top management people then compare that amount of money with the salaries of the workers. Ouch! Maybe we send a lot of work to third world countries in order to pay management the extremely high salaries.

And Kendall, your statement on the basis of trickle down economics is the best I have ever heard!!!

Lyle