I'm curious, whether I'm rich or poor, why does anyone need to care about how much wages or bonuses I get with the company I work for? I can understand companies giving what some would consider outrageous bonuses when they A) are going bankrupt, B ) took money from the Gov't to stay afloat and C) are giving bonuses to the same idiots who messed everything up in the first place. With that said, why does every other company who is not A) going bankrupt, B ) taking money from the Gov't and C) giving money to idiots who messed everything up in the first place, have to be restricted at all? Last I checked the money the give as bonuses and raises or salaries is their money and they should be able to do as they please with it. Or am I understanding this wrong?

Actaully no.  YOu are referring to productive shelters - like retirement.  Not stupid ones - Like boxcar buys.  The reduction in the tax rates was a contributing factor in the S&L collapse (the first real estate bust).

How do you account for the most productive years in the fifties? Besides as doc implied hardly anyone paid this marginal rate; it encouraged greater endowments, charities, reinvestment, wages and salaries.