20%
the top 20% of income earners earned 50% of the total income. sounds kinda like a high percentage, doesn't it? but actually it's pretty low. nearly 2x low. heh. i explain. the wealthiest (in dollars) 20% control some 90% of the total wealth. if wealth comes strictly from income then we'd expect to see that 90% figure head towards 50%. but it's been going up, not down. ergo we conclude that nearly half of all wealth doesn't come from income. i'm tempted to say something inflammatory. like, cool. not only do the rich pay a lower income tax rate but they also pay zero tax on half their real income. neat huh? but i'm kinda in a kinder gentler less antagonistic phase right now. so i'll just let you ponder how the rich pay taxes on their wealth as they accumulate it. let me know what you come up with. cause i couldn't figure it out.