@JLeslie, I haven’t looked at the numbers, but you said the wars cost $4 trillion. That money was spent over 10 years more or less. So it stands to reason that you’re asking to raise taxes by $4 trillion… would you be amenable to raising 4 trillion over ten years?
Just to get some idea, the Buffet rule (raising millionaire+ tax rate to 30%) would supposedly raise anywhere from $30–50 billion per year in additional revenue. Over ten years, that’s still only a tenth of the costs of the wars.
On the other hand, repealing the Bush tax cuts (including those for middle and lower class) would, by some calculations, net $4 trillion over 10 years. So really, if Congress does nothing, those tax cuts get automatically repealed next year and we’re good to go. :)
Speaking as a dyed in the wool liberal, I would actually oppose a sudden increase in taxes right now—especially increasing taxes on non-rich. Our economy is still in terrible shape; tax increases (especially nonwealthy) are contractionary. That’s why I asked about the time scale. I’d have no problem raising taxes on everyone once unenmployment gets down to 5%. I’d also raise taxes more on high-income earners to make up for the extra time in delaying increases for lower ones.