Dave, there are way more people making over $100,000 today versus 1935 and comparing the tax rates from then and now probably isn't very effective. $1 in 1935 had the same buying power as $16 dollars in 2010. So, if I'm figuring this right, the $100,000 earned today would be equal to $6,250 back then. That $6,250 would put you in the 10% bracket, not 25% as today. I doubt that $625 was easy to swallow in 1935 as that was the depression, I do know that I'm not enjoying sending off $14k though. I would much rather stimulate the economy with about $5k of it on a new O/B bracket for my Olympic. Maybe next year.

One other thing to consider is that there are a lot more people to fleece now as compared to the 1970's and the 1930's too. You can drop the rate some and make up the difference in volume.