But the grocer, butcher and town doctor earn about 200-250k. Remember the real journalist who did not work for a corporation who knew everyone in town. The people on the board of your towns paper used to make that (Mom & Pop +5? +10?). You want them to pay more? They already pay 30-35%. They can not afford to not be shook down by the USG. The more you make the less they take. Until a few hundred mil. Then, you can afford kickbacks/contributions. Then they take nothing (Regulatory Capture/K Street).
