politics
March 21, 2026
Class-war economics is counterproductive and un-American
In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.
TL;DR
- The U.S. tax system is already one of the most progressive globally, with the top 10% of households paying approximately 80% of federal income taxes.
- Democratic tax proposals aim to exempt lower and middle-income individuals, shifting the tax burden.
- The author contends that taxing a narrow base makes revenue streams volatile and disconnects voters from the cost of government spending.
- The article criticizes the goal of creating a European-style welfare state in the U.S., arguing it's not supported by current revenue and would require broad-based tax increases.
- It points to "red states" flattening or eliminating income taxes, contrasting them with "blue states" raising taxes on top earners.
- The piece suggests that high taxes on capital gains discourage investment and criticizes proposals to tax "unrealized gains."
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