My, my, aren't we preoccupied with the 1%? Let's examine facts: who belongs to that evil, wealthy 1%? Look! It's none other than the Obamas, the Pelosis, the Reids, George Soros, David Letterman, Bill Maher, Alec Baldwin, Barbara Streisand, George Clooney, all Hollywood producers, directors, movie and TV stars, etc. Where are all of these fire-bomb throwing liberals when it comes to 'distributing the wealth'? Are they 'paying their fair share' in taxes, or do they fully use the tax shelters that the IRS rules allow? Are they voluntarily giving away vast sums of their wealth to the needy for food, shelter and health care? The answer is yes to tax shelter use, and no to distributing their wealth for the common good. Are THEY the 1% that you and the Democratic party are targeting? Or are they all exempt, and there is a 'special' group of the 1% who needs their wealth confiscated and distributed? A little self-examination would do Progressives good, but it will never happen as they twist and spin numbers and stories for their own benefit....

You forgot to add Koch,Mitt,Sheldon Adelson,Issa, among others. It works for both sides.

Walt nobody questions that people benefit from the healthcare act in the short term. What is at issue is the cost and what it will do to the quality of healthcare longterm. Somebody has to pay for this system. Right now it's just the 1% footing the bill but since most of the cost containment clauses of the healthcare act were stripped out, the cost of our healthcare will quickly outgrow the wallets of the 1%. Eventually everyday people will have to foot the bill. You yourself may actually have to pay for this program you think is so wonderful. It's all a great idea when you can stick the bill to someone else. Let's see what you think in 10 years when you're paying it.

Mr. Kimball, many of the people you mention have made their money actually working for it so it is taxed as regular income, I think the problem many have with some of the 1 percent is that they make money off of money and it is taxed at the capital gains rate. To some people the guy paying 13 percent off the money he made from money unlike the guy making money by working for it seems less than fair. I think we can have a discussion on tax policy that takes into account whether it is fair to tax capital gains so low compared to regular income tax. I think Chuck Norris, Wilfred Brimley, Craig T. Nelson and other right ring Hollywood types would agree with me.

The real heartless insensitivity is that more and more people left without a choice but to become dependent on the government, as is happening under the current administration. It is both demoralizing for the individual and unsustainable for the few that actually pay for it.

Doremus - You're overlooking that fact that people like Romney first worked for their money and had it taxed as income using the higher rate. Then they invested what was left after taxes and are now being taxed a second time at the lower rate. A lot of the "what's fair" discussions skip that first step.

DG, I'm not skipping it because it is not being taxed twice only the gains above the investment are being taxed. If I invest $100 in Apple and sell my share at $110 only the $10 is taxed.

DG, I did not miss the point, you lacked a point. You could have admitted you were wrong but you chose not to. Had you caught me in a mistake I would have admitted it.

Question: The system is clearly broken. But is it because of who is paying for it? Or is it because the paradigm of prescriptions for lifestyle and chronic disease doesn't work.
What if people spent their money on fruits and vegetables from Aldi instead of the junk food? What if people took responsibility for their health? 70% of the country is overweight and obese - this is not because they have a drug deficiency.

I AM NOT saying medical care isn't necessary. I AM NOT saying that prescription drugs don't save lives. I AM saying that maybe it would be more affordable, if Americans would do what we are known for - being tough, taking responsibility, do what we need to do to make this country great again.

The system is broken because the paradigm doesn't work...

dg guy!!! So what!!! If you make 40 mill a year on investments then pay more than 13% or 15%. Its income!!! Tired of the crap folks like romney who just do not pay the percentage that I pay and millionfsof other hardworking american pay. You arguement is mute. Why should my wife and I pay 23% which is what we paid last year and romney gets away with 13%? Let me guess, trickle down economics which does not work!!!

Per the Congressional Budget Office. Here are the Average Total Federal tax rates by income class as of 2009 (latest data)

Lowest Quintile 1%
Second Quintile 6.80%
Middle Quintile 11.10%
Fourth Quintile 15.10%
Highest Quintile 23.20%
Top 1 Percent 28.90%

Notice that the top 20% and top 1% pay higher rates. These are averages over all of the peolpe in that income category. Not one specific guy.

Personally, Romney paid too much income tax, as 15% is far too high for risk takers to take risks in this Obama economy. Lower it to zero, and maybe the spoon ready jobs become real ones.

My neighbors happen to earn more money than me. I'm happy for them. They pay a lot more income tax every year and don't get any extra return on all the income tax they pay, I respect their hard work and success. More power to them.