>I assumed you meant a flat rate. My point was that someone in the lower income tax brackets would pay more $ than they pay now, and those in the top bracket would pay fewer $.
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>Well, considering that almost 50% of Americans pay NO federal income tax, if you tax them a penny they will be paying more than they are right now. I fail to see your point <s>.
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>The top 5% of all earners pay almost 59% of all income taxes. How much of the tax burden should rest on them? 100%?

Funny lady ;-) No, of course I am not in favor of that. Nor am I suggesting a European-style top RATE of 59%. However, I am in favor of the system we have now, with a few brackets topping out at 35%. (With an effective rate often well below that after deductions and tax dodges. See Romney, Mitt). This is not a rich-hating thing. The wealthy can afford to pay more.

The crux of it is I do not believe we should as a matter of policy redistribute wealth from the middle class to the already wealthy. That is one of the fundamental differences between the political parties. I do not expect to persuade you, just making what I believe to be a factual statement. If we cannot agree -- and as a country we sure don't -- we should at least agree on what we disagree about, instead of just demonizing the other side.