Brian, you're doing something wrong. 35% may be your incremental tax rate,
but with a similar income, my actual (paid) rate is below 15% (state and
fed). (divide "total tax" by AGI)

You're are way above "middle" class!

I pulled that "middle class" line on my boss many years ago and was brought
up sharp. If you read O'Brian (Aubrey/Maturin) you'll be told that no one
ever admits to being either rich or asleep. (Just so there is some nautical
reference to this discussion.)

Roger (retired)

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm

"Brian D" wrote in message
...

but our combined tax rate (fed plus state) is around 35%.
Our social security will dissolve before we get there (or
will reduce in benefits, increase in age requirement, etc ...same thing as
'going away').