And the good news is …

The rich pay a lower tax rate than the rest of us.  Today's Washington Post reveals some startling numbers about the inequality that exists in America between those who have benefited the most and those who have made it possible for them to do so.

 Families earning below $100,000 per year pay an average of about 35 percent in payroll and income taxes, while those earning $1 million or more pay on average less than 30 percent.

And if that's not enough, the wealthiest 400 Americans paid only 18.1 percent (figures are for 2008).

By the way, the top 10 percent of Americans now own 70 percent of the country's wealth.