JFM, You could not BE further off base! Not jealousy, not resentment, certainly not hatred, what a strong term, (although I DO still hate Ann Coulter! :p ).

I consider myself a very fortunate, very successful middle class American whose household income is far above the median, just shy of six figures, and most importantly I am very happy and very content with my life.

My wife and I own our home, 2 decent vehicles, enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, raised 3 great kids; my eldest daughter just graduated college in May and is teaching middle school in Houston; my second daughter will graduate from Syracuse next May; (they were both in the top of their HS class, eldest was number 8/~450, second was number 4/~450, and both Dean's lists/Honor societies, etc.); my son just started HS, and has joined the Army Jr. ROTC program, although I am trying to convince him to apply to the Coast Guard academy or at least stay away from the Army or Marines. He's very taken with the Marine Corps, much to my dismay!

SO, as you can see, capitalism has clearly NOT left me behind. However, I can clearly see the injustices in our system, while recognizing that it is without question the greatest system on earth! When I look at the obscene wealth of some compared with the abject poverty of others, and the disparity between the wealthiest and the poorest, I know in my heart that we can do better, and MUST do better!

There is no excuse in this country, with the extravagent, opulent wealth enjoyed by so many, for ANYONE to be homeless, hungry, without health-care, and without hope. If you REALLY BELIEVE that everyone in this country has an equal opportunity, you are very naive and you are fooling yourself. You need to get out of Madison more often!

I am not suggesting putting a ceiling on one's earnings or wealth. I understand fully how that would destroy the free market necessary for capitalism to work. BTW, I am not anti- capitalist, I do not believe that capitalism is a dirty word, but neither do I believe that socialism is a dirty word, or that the two cannot co-exist and compliment one another. We already have alot of socialism in our country.

What I am suggesting is that there should be a FLOOR on the standard of living, below which no one can fall. And that the floor needs to be much higher than the lowest standard of living now present in this country. Beyond that, it would be up to each individual to work and earn his or her way.

Extravagent wealth is not a birth right. If one participates in this system one needs to pay his dues, so to speak. No one "NEEDS" seven mansions (like John Kerry) etc., etc., If we were all born into a system where everyone had to pay, just for example, 25% of their gross earnings, into a general fund, used in part to help maintain that floor, no one would think twice about it, and our country would be far better off, in my opinion.

However, what we have done is we have come to take for granted that we have no responsibilty whatsoever for our fellow citizens less fortunate than us, and we recoil at the very hint of a suggestion that we should tax the very wealthy more aggressively in order to elevate that minimum standard of living.

I realize that what I am saying smacks of socialism. So what? I am not proposing any further burdens upon the middle class, just that top 5, or maybe even 10 percent. I'm not talking about those making over $200k, I'm talking about relatively small increases on those making over $500k.

Why? Because they can afford it! They wouldn't even miss it. I don't care if they earned it. They earned it in this system, and should pay accordingly to maintain that system. Don't ask me to cry for someone who might have to give up a third home, or a fourth trip to the islands, or some expensive piece of jewelry, or some other luxury item, in order to feed, clothe, educate, and provide health care and a living wage to some family making less than $20,000 per year!

I stated once before on this thread, and I'll state it again here, I seek nothing for myself. I am concerned for those less fortunate than me. While you and other Republicans apparently are more concerned about those who have more than EVERYONE! Why should 80% of us slave for the other 20%?

It was once pointed out to me by a friend that I had this debate with that the top 20% pay 40% of the taxes. The problem with that is that the top 20% MAKE 80% of the income! Therefore, their contribution is short by half!

What I would really like to see is a flat tax on ones GROSS income. No exemptions for kids, if you want kids thats your choice, this is America, right, we're all about choice and accountability for our choices; no deductions for charitable contributions, you can spend your money any way you want, this is America!; no tax shelters of any kind, no IRA's, capital gains, no loopholes or deductions or exemptions of any kind; and every penny you make, no matter how it is made, is subject thereto, including inheretances and such.

A very simple flat percentage of your gross annual household income. And everyone pays the same percentage, whatever we work that out to be. The money we would save on the bureaucracy of the IRS alone would pay down the deficit in no time! It wouldn't even require you to file a return, they simply take it out of you check every week, 10%, 15%, 20% whatever it has to be, and there would be no refund or money owed to the government.

Think about it!