>The US already has a very progressive system. How can this be the case if the taxes actually paid (which is what the chart shows), is largely flat across inco

>The US already has a very progressive system. How can this be the case if the taxes actually paid (which is what the chart shows), is largely flat across income bands, between about 22 and 28%? Sure, between 1950 and 1980, the system was progressive, but the actual percentage paid by the wealthy has come down over the past 30 years, it's now much much less progressive than it was 50-70 years ago.