Your thinking of taxes being cut for the rich may be way-way-way off. True:the tax rates for the rich are SUPPOSE to go down around 2008, but don't plan on it. The 'Projected Surplus' was a joke 2 years ago. The republics and democrats both had reasons to promote a huge surplus for political reasons. Government forcast for more then 2+ years have always been way-way-way off. Now that we are in recession and war, those forecast are way down. 15 years from now, someone getting a check worth $20,000,000, may be taxed at 50+ percent, plus state income tax(were you won) could be at 15+ percent. Plus the greedy states were you own several homes in may go after you. If there is ever a real major war(s), 1812-1813 like earthquakes, terrorists nukes, very liberal national health care, or whatever.....the top 5% well be expected to pay for them because they can 'must afford it'. But then again, there's that small chance of a low 'flat tax'.