taxes.

I know you've heard otherwise.  But taxes.  Really pretty low.

1930 - 1980

Historical marginal income tax rates for Married Filing Jointly at stated income levels.^[3]

Year	$10,001	$20,001	$60,001	$100,001	$250,001
1930	6%	10%	21%	25%	25%
1932	10%	16%	36%	56%	58%
1934	11%	19%	37%	56%	58%
1936	11%	19%	39%	62%	68%
1938	11%	19%	39%	62%	68%
1940	14%	28%	51%	62%	68%
1942	38%	55%	75%	85%	88%
1944	41%	59%	81%	92%	94%
1946	38%	56%	78%	89%	91%
1948	38%	56%	78%	89%	91%
1950	38%	56%	78%	89%	91%
1952	42%	62%	80%	90%	92%
1954	38%	56%	78%	89%	91%
1956	26%	38%	62%	75%	89%
1958	26%	38%	62%	75%	89%
1960	26%	38%	62%	75%	89%
1962	26%	38%	62%	75%	89%
1964	23%	34%	56%	66%	76%
1966 - 1976	22%	32%	53%	62%	70%
1980	18%	24%	54%	59%	70%

[edit]

And --

Year 2011 income brackets and tax rates

Marginal Tax Rate[6]	Single	Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er)	Married Filing Separately	Head of Household
10%	$0 – $8,500	$0 – $17,000	$0 – $8,500	$0 – $12,150
15%	$8,501 – $34,500	$17,001 – $69,000	$8,501 – $34,500	$12,150 – $46,250
25%	$34,501 – $83,600	$69,001 – $139,350	$34,501 – $69,675	$46,250 – $119,400
28%	$83,601 – $174,400	$139,351 – $212,300	$69,675 – $106,150	$119,401 – $193,350
33%	$174,401 – $379,150	$212,301 – $379,150	$106,151 – $189,575	$193,350 - $379,150
35%	$379,151+	$379,651+	$189,576+	$379,151+