Geez, the percentage of people who are very wealthy and those that are very poor are both growing at alarming rates. The class that is declining--the class that has proven most fundamental to the growth of a strong economy--is the middle class. There IS income re-distribution going on, as it has been for a decade or more. We're becoming a country of haves and have nots, with no one in between to form the basis of a vibrant economy. If that's not income redistribution, then I don't know what is.

And in case I need to point out which political party has been in control of making the laws that have had this result, it's been the Republicans for the vast majority of the last decade or more when most of this has happened. There hasn't been a tax increase that could be described as a "redistribution of income" for more than two decades. For crying out loud, don't just listen to the talking points being fed to us by the idealogues. Look at the facts!

I'm not recommending a simple tax increase on the richest individual Americans. But I am recommending a substantial redesign of the tax system in this country combined with substantial spending cuts. Maybe even a balanced budget amendment, so long it is phased in over a reasonable amount of time. Yes, the rich should pay more, as should the corporations and special interests who have bought and paid for tax benefits and deductions that unjustifiably reduce their tax obligations. Such a plan, if well thought out, could result in the beginning of the return of the middle class and maybe even a broad tax cut for most corporations.