they're trying appease them that's for sure. in 2014 there was the new Medicare tax on the rich, new lower phase outs for itemized and higher rates on the capital gains and qualified dividends. they're just trying to make nice.
I havent heard about this is it this one:
3. Higher Medicare taxes
For those making over $200,000 ($250,000 if married), their Medicare taxes will go up on their wages and, for the first time, their investment income will be subject to a Medicare tax as well.
On wages: They will pay another 0.9 percentage points of Medicare tax on wage income over $200,000 ($250,000 if married). That's on top of the 1.45% Medicare tax that they must pay on all their wages (or 2.9% if they're self-employed).
So, for example, a single bank executive making $500,000 in wages - which is $300,000 above the applicable threshold - would have to pay an additional $2,700 in Medicare taxes (0.9% x $300,000)
http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/20/pf/taxes/rich-taxes/