IntroductionFor decades the controversy over raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans has been an ongoing debate. During every election and congressional session – both state and national – politicians all have strong opinions about taxing the rich. Since President Eisenhower's last mandate, taxation of the rich has been decreasing and in the last ten years has leveled out at that of the "upper-middle class". The latest position is to tax the rich, a highly controversial idea that leads to endless debate among our nations' leaders. There are two points of view on the issue: either raise taxes on the rich or keep tax rates where they are and reduce public spending. As Americans we must ask ourselves whether it is better to try to achieve equality by tearing people down or pleasing the rich. History of Taxation of the Rich You could follow taxation issues even before this nation was founded. “Taxation without representation” was what led this country into a war and got us the independence that led to us being one of the world leaders. But Americans have won the representation we have fought for for many years and now find themselves on a new battlefield over how to tax fairly and equitably. The arguments throughout the history of our country have been the same, whether taxing the rich in an economic crisis is good or bad. Many economic scholars believe that taxing the rich is a necessity during our current economic instability, using the high taxes of the 1940s, which supported the war efforts, to support their arguments. While more right-wing conservatives believe that taxing the rich more means less purchasing, which could lead to higher prices on everything and... middle of paper... what it means to live your life, what have and that you don't. But it's also important to remember that as Americans we have the freedom to succeed on our own terms. We deserve every freedom, including the freedom to succeed without fear of being taxed beyond the equality we preach. My opinion I come from a family that was completely middle class. My father leaves for work in the morning, my mother takes the children to school and goes back to being a housewife. I'm from a good sized house, in a gated community, outside of Las Vegas. My family has never been without it and I'm really lucky for that. But even though I know I'm lucky, I know that many Americans struggle to make ends meet. Although I feel very sorry for these people, I don't think that people like my father, who worked very hard to achieve everything he has, should be punished because life isn't fair..