Originally Posted by ratbastid

Man, I want to talk to your accountant. If I only paid 10% in taxes, I'd be one HAPPY DUDE. I'm self-employed, so I "pay twice", but even just the income tax withholding portion of my taxes is well over 10%.

According to the most recent figures I could google (2003), this was the percentage-of-income that the various quintiles are taxed:

Top fifth of earners: 19 percent
Next fifth of earners: 17 percent
Middle fifth of earners: 16 percent
Next fifth of earners: 14 percent
Bottom fifth of earners: 18 percent

Honestly? That's about progressive enough for me. I guess I'd like to see some more relief for the bottom fifth, but they're the majority recipients of government benefits, so maybe it all evens out.