Martin A. Sullivan (Tax Analysts), Time for a Little Class Warfare?, 133 Tax Notes 395 (Oct. 24, 2011):

The evidence is overwhelming that America’s rich are getting much richer while income growth for low- and middle-income earners has stagnated. The share of income and wealth concentrated in the hands of America’s superrich is high by both historical and international standards. These facts are hardly breaking news. But they take on new significance in light of the recent political developments that stress economic inequality. They include President Obama’s articulation of the “Buffett rule” as a guiding principle of tax policy, Senate Democrats’ failed push for a 5.6% millionaire’s surtax, the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the frenzy over Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain’s proposal for a system that taxes only consumption and wages.

International Comparison of Income Shares of Top 1 Percent of Incomes

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