16.6%

That is the percentage that the top-earning households paid in taxes in 2007. Their incomes have quintupled in fifteen years.

I don't know anyone who is working for a paycheck who pays only 16.6% of their income in taxes.

If you want to know why the Republican party is so unconcerned about the recession, consider this: Those whose incomes were over $150,000 a year have an unemployment rate of 3%.

At the other end of the scale, the unemployment rate is over 30%. At the bottom of the economic scale, this recession is a depression. At the top, this recession is indistinguishable from full employment. This recession is a textbook case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

As we should all know by now, the Republicans and the Blue Dog Democrats don't give a flying fuck about anyone who does not make at least a six figure income. So don't expect the government to do anything to try and help you.