Really?
How is that possible? Any links?
Tax rate 87% during JFK. Found this
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Opinion
April 16, 2011
Tax rates are at historic low under President Obama
To the Editor:
Cumberland Times-News
— This is in response to the letter from Lisa Bittinger that ran in the April 12 edition of the Times-News.
When has the Tea Party ever been silent? I have news for the Tea Party. There is an answer to cutting the deficit. Wait for it ... Raise revenue. In other words — raise taxes.
Most people are probably not aware that tax rates are at a historic low. That’s right. President Obama’s tax rates are lower than Ronald Reagan’s. The current income tax on people filing jointly making $200,000 or more in 2011 is 33 percent. The income tax on people filing jointly making $200,000 or more has been at 33 percent since 2003.
During 2001-2002, the income tax rate was at 35 percent. During the Clinton years, the income tax was 36 percent — and we had a balanced budget (1993-2000). During George H.W. Bush’s presidency, the tax rate was at 33 percent (which is where we are now). During Reagan’s presidency, the tax rate started in 1981 at 68 percent for people filing jointly making $200,000 or more. It went down during his presidency — 50 percent during 1982-1986, down to 38.5 percent in 1987 and down to 33 percent by the end of his presidency in 1989.
During the Carter years (1977-1981) the tax rate started at 69 percent in 1977-1978 and went down to 68 percent in 1979-1980. During John F. Kennedy’s presidency (1961-1963), the tax rate was 87 percent. It dropped during Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency in 1964 to 75 percent and then lower in 1965 to 70 percent, where it stayed until the end of Gerald Ford’s presidency in 1976.
All this information is available online at the Tax Foundation. Check it out. When the original Boston Tea Party threw tea into Boston Harbor in 1773, it was to protest “Taxation Without Representation.” Not to protest taxes. If you feel that your taxes are too high, please protest by not using any of the services provided for you by your income tax dollars. Please don’t call the police — there will be no response. Don’t call the fire department. Please don’t use the roads — although the Pennsylvania Turnpike is available for your use — enjoy.
Don’t send your kids to public school. Don’t take part in any community activity — as you are unwilling to support your community. Enjoy your private privatized life. As for myself, I enjoy coffee. Fair trade coffee. It might cost me a little more, but it’s a small price to pay to help support farming communities, and others who aren’t forcing small children to do hard labor in order to help the rich get richer. But hey, that’s just me.
Amy Riffle-Kouyeas
Centerville, Pa.
