Had the Bush tax cut plan been in place in 2000, the 400 wealthiest taxpayers – on average – would have each saved $8.3 million.

Americans in the lowest 50 percent earning bracket would have saved an average of $19 apiece.

The plan is in place now and the numbers may be a little different, but the disproportion remains.

The plan favors the rich and will certainly build wealth, but will it spur the economy?

If the $27,000 income earner were awarded the same percent tax break as the $174 million earner, he or she could expect to receive as much as $1,080. That’s a princely sum compared to $19.

If spending is what it takes to boost the economy, tax cuts must be more strongly weighted toward lower income earners. They are more likely to turn right around and spend the cash.

In contrast, the $174 million income earner probably won’t transform a $8.3 million savings into an extravagant spending spree, but will invest wisely instead. The market needs investors, so the ready cash is welcome, but that’s not how the tax cut was sold and not what analysts say we need to speed recovery.

But the plan is signed, sealed and checks will be delivered in the coming weeks so there’s little point in arguing what should have been.

There is, however, a lot to be gained by looking at the recent Internal Revenue Service report on the spread and split of wealth in America.

According to an examination by The New York Times, over the past nine years the incomes of the top 400 taxpayers – which account for 1.1 percent of all income earned in this country – quadrupled.

The average income for the bottom 90 percent of all taxpayers rose just 17 percent.

At the same time, the tax burden for the very rich dropped from 29.9 to 22.3 percent and, now, to 17.5 percent. The working class has not experienced equal falling-off-the-precipice tax breaks.

The rich enjoy escalating incomes and escalating tax cuts. For the working class, income plods along and tax relief is almost gratuitous.

If that isn’t maddening enough, the IRS reports a significant rise among Americans with incomes of more than $200,000 who do not pay tax here or anywhere.

In 1977, just 37 among America’s millionaire class escaped all taxes through havens, shelters and trusts. By 2000, they were joined by 1,985 more. We can expect to see that number continue climbing.

Congress has refused to stop corporations from moving offshore to escape tax bills, which openly encourages individuals to do the same.

The millionaire class can afford to carry cheats. The working class cannot.

Those in the highest tax brackets certainly benefit from government services funded through tax dollars and ought to pay their fair share. They’re not. They pay a lot, but not in the same proportion to income as middle income earners.

When Congress revisits tax cuts, and it will, it might want to take a quick look at voter demographics.

The wealth in this country, which government so richly rewards, springs from just 1.3 million households.

The remaining 272 million households are bent under growing tax burdens.

Voter discontent can be strongly voiced at the polls. Numbers favor the discontented.
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