[jbm]

Your figures are quite off.

The mood of this thread suggests I will be modded down but: 1) How much is the real tax on the top 5%? 2) How much of the national income do the top 5% of earners make? 3) How much of the income do they make because of the unique situation they find themselves in the USA?

A wiki-search revealed the following: In 2007, the top 5% of income earners paid over half of the federal income tax revenue.[36] However, as of 2004, the top 5% hold 59.2% of wealth. The top 1% of income earners paid 25% of the total income tax revenue.[37] Again however, the top 1% hold 23.5% of wealth. Forty seven percent of Americans pay no federal income tax.

(The 47% thing includes children / housewives / househusbands / etc.., hence it holds no interest to me as a figure. That said, you're welcome to try to change my mind).

The rich are paying a fair share, especially considering how difficult it is to accomplish the same task outside the US.