[maxander]

This is a wonderful example of how, given a complicated situation, picking your favourite numbers out of the pile can tell any story you like.

Yes, its true that for a healthy young person with an average income, rates (adjusted for subsidies, etc) will go up. They may even "skyrocket," say. But given the wealth distribution in this country, most people have less than an average income. I would be interested to see this analysis done for a healthy young person with median income- would probably look much better for the "progressive" side of this debate.

[iends]

"Most people have less than an average income..."

You realize this is a mathematical impossibility, right?

EDIT: That's what I get for being snarky. Will leave my shame for all too see :)

[dalke]

There's a difference between median and mean. While both can be called "average", that term almost always means "mean".

If there are 9 employees making $30K/year and the owner makes $270K/year, then the average salary is $54K/year, but 9 of the 10 people are making below average.

Bill Gates made, what, $10 billion last year? Put him in a city with 100,000 people making $100,000/year. His arrival would cause the average salary to double, and all but one would have a less than average income.

[yoyot1]

If you have 3 people, one makes $97, the other two make $1 each, avg income is $33, and most people make less.

Not saying the parent statement is correct, but definitely not a mathematical impossibility...