Taxes for the rich are at an all time low. Trickle down exconomics does not work. The obvious solution is spending cuts combined with tax increases to get the US debt under control. The rich are a good place to start.
Here's one usage of the term gentleman: The gentleman helped the fallen lady to her feet. Here's another, one we might hear from a newscaster or a police spokesman: Tonight we report on the arrest of two gentlemen who raped, sodomized and murdered an 80-year-old woman.
During earlier times, to be called a gentleman meant one was honest, brave, courteous and loyal. Today "gentleman" is used interchangeably in reference to decent people and the scum of the earth.
Much of today's language usage demonstrates a desire to be nonjudgmental. People used to shack up; now they cohabit or are living partners. Few young...
So in other words we have people who are the least able to bear high rates of income tax paying higher rates than those who are most able to pay. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, taxes on the wealthy are now significantly lower then they were when Reagan was President.
As for the 1800's, if you think it would have been nice to live under the conditions of those times you are having yourself on.
So when we raise tax rates to high, all we do is stimulate unproductive tax shelters and investments not based on productivity, but on escaping tax. And than can include closing a business.
That idea has to be about the most stupid to eer come along.
The "rich" already pay what is arguably more than their fair share. The rich also are the ones who create jobs; have you ever seen a poor man hiring employees? Rather than buy into Obama's class warfare, try to focus on those things that would actually serve to balance the budget, most especially cutting unnecessary spending.
You need to read Dr. Sowell's article on Trickle Down economics, and then come back.