I grew up in the era of the 'bell-shaped curve' and a genuine Middle Class.  Those days are gone and so is that Middle Class.  We now have 70% of Americans working in service sector jobs..most of them at or just above the minimum wage.  and....."Currently, the richest 1% hold about 38% of all privately held wealth in the United States. while the bottom 90% held 73% of all debt. According to The New York Times, the "richest 1 percent in the United States now own more wealth than the bottom 90 percent". We have huge income disparity in our country.  The Democrats "starting point" is not unreasonable:  No tax cuts for the extremely wealthy and no tax increases for the remaining Middle class/middle income population.  Perhaps the GOP will propose some "trickle-down" economics, promising that tax cuts to the wealthy corporations and individuals will benefit all.  Balderdash...we know better..Or, at least, we should...it's never worked before, why expect it would not.  Gary Crum