I Like Ike

In 1981 the rate for the top tax bracket was radically reduced from 69% to 50% and then down to 28% and 31% by the end of the Reagan and Bush I's terms. During the Clinton era it was back up to 39.6% and Bush II dropped it to 35% during his presidency -- now Republicans fight to make that temporary reduction permanent.

Led by the Republicans the top bracket of income earners have "dis-invested" in the USA: letting core infrastructure and societal structure like health care and education crumble. In contrast, during the Eisenhower years and Kennedy years (1952-1963) the marginal rate was 91% -- it's as if the de-facto economic leadership of the country actually felt responsible to provide some leadership.

Source: National Taxpayers Union History of Individual Federal Rates