Lifting The Poor Will Hurt The Rich. Get Over It

J. BERNSTEIN: To lift the poor, you can't avoid taxing the rich. "It's tempting to think -- and hope -- that attacking inequality doesn't mean we have to hurt those at the top. This idea has become a central response from conservatives to the current debate inspired by Thomas Piketty's book and proposal for a wealth tax....This argument isn't a purely conservative one, either. Many liberals and moderates would no doubt prefer a kinder and gentler way to help the poor. But it doesn't exist." Jared Bernstein in The New York Times.