Why aren't Obama and the Democrats proposing a more progressive income tax?

Every day, I read articles asking how we're going to pay for the stimulus and national health care at a time when the economy is still struggling. There's been talk about a national VAT, taxing health insurance, etc. But, I've seen very little talk about increasing the tax rates on higher income people. Under Eisenhower we had a 90% tax rate (for those earning over $1 million, I think). Under Kennedy, we had a 70% top tax rate. The high wage earners could reduce their taxes by investing in the stock market.

The people who earn enormous amounts of money have been given every benefit that our society has to offer -- not just freedom and diversity, but wealth creation too. It's time they paid their fair share. I don't think the American people would be against higher taxes on the wealthy, especially if it made our economy more prosperous, created more jobs, provided national health care, and helped balance the budget.

Why is there so little talk even among progressives of erasing Reagan and Bush's awful tax cuts and reinstating the kind of progressive taxes we had in the past?

We are in a mess that will require all of us to make sacrifice not just those who make more than each of us.

And they wouldn't even support limiting the tax breaks on charity donations.

I don't know why people can't understand that there are about 14 Democrats in the Senate that are just as bad as Republicans.

Its made of up Dems, Rethugs, and in betweeners.

It's not like it's a secret.

the wealthy. It is the priority for both parties. The only difference is the degree of honesty about their true goals.

since raising taxes of any sort in a recession is a bad idea.

If it's just to cover current debts, then it's probably not a good idea to raise taxes. But if it's used to fund needed maintenance AND improvements on the interstate highway system, the railroads, seaports, airports and the national electrical grid system, then it may be a good idea.

A balanced budget is necessary for long term economic health, but deficit spending is necessary in a recession. Hoover tried to keep a balanced budget; FDR went deep into the red.

to be in the highest tax bracket which was 91%. $400,000.00 back then equates to about 32 million in today's dollars. The lowest tax bracket was 20% with a ceiling of $4,000.00 which equates to about $32,000.00 in todays dollars.