"Obtuse?"  Really?  You are actually making my point.  The GOP wants to blame their failure on the Democrats who came before them, and they want to blame our current crisis on the Democrats that came after them, as you quite eloquently put it.  If the Republicans cannot take responsibility, why should we give them any responsibility?

To address your "equality under the law" argument, the graduated tax is constitutional.  The wealthy are not in a protected class, such as race or gender, so the tax only has to be rationally related to some governmental purpose.  This ration basis test is the easiest for the government to meet.  And, the same tax rates apply to all citizens... we are all taxed the same on our income.  If you or I happen to make more money, we are taxed at the same rates as everyone else who makes that amount. 

We may not pay the same dollar amount as someone who makes a million dollars, but obviously, it would be impossible to require everyone to pay the same amount regardless of how much they make.  The country could not run if Bill Gates only had to pay what you and I pay.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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