I thought these comparisons pretty telling from the US Institute for Policy Studies:

Key USTax Facts

• 15,753: The number of households in 1961 with $1 million in taxable income (adjusted for inflation).
• 361,000: The number of households in 2011 estimated to have $1 million in taxable income.
• 43.1: Percent of total reported income that Americans earning $1 million paid in taxes in 1961 (adjusted for 2011 dollars)
• 23.1: Percent of total reported income that Americans earning $1 million are likely to pay in taxes in 2011, estimated from latest IRS data.
• 47.4: Percent of profits corporations paid in taxes in 1961.
• 11.1: Percent of profits corporations paid in taxes in 2011.

Here's another way of looking at the trend:

The US right wing is trying to shut down government in the USA. This is getting too little press this side of the Atlantic: we have a situation where quite literally the right wing is trying to cripple government.

They claim America is over taxed.

They want to slash services.

They claim this will create prosperity.

It may - for a tiny few - but it will desert America in the process.

In 1961 the US had never had it so good.

In 1961 it was confident enough to start a space programme - right or wrong.

And it was time for it to face up to the civil wrongs in its society.

Now it's being held ransom for the benefit of the reach who want the right to exploit.

This is what the Tea Party want.

This is what the right wing of the Conservative Party in the Uk wants.

This is why he NHS is being privatised.

This is wrong.

Left minded people have to fight it.