1. Consider the graphic below. Examine it carefully and discuss what you think they convey. What story does the graphic tell?

Who Gains Most From Tax Breaks Dividends, capital The five largest kinds of tax breaks in 2011, broken down gains taxed at lower by the the distribution of benefits to various income groups: Itemized deductions rates than wages Mortgage interest, charitable $78 BILLION contributions, some state and Exclusions Capital gains on home sales, interest local taxes, medical expenses 55.5% Misc. on tax-exempt bonds, workers' compensation $147 BILLION provisions INCOME GROUPS benefits, income earned abroad, employer health $66 BILLION AND INCOME insurance, tax-deferred I.R.A.'s and other items. AMOUNTS 13.3% SEPARATING $526 BILLION COST TO TREASURY IN 2011 EACH GROUP 17.9% Top 0.1% received 6.3% of all exclusions 13.1 $2,468,468 -.......... Next 0.9% received 9.6% 14.2 $545,727 ............ 54.9 Refundable credits Child, earned 19.6 42.0 income and Next 19% received 50.7% American opportunity credits. $122 BILLION 21.0 THE 6.8% $106,552 Second 20% received 14.8% 14.2 14.1 14.0 2.8 OM 80% 0.9 $62,899 -. 3.8 20.4 0.2 8.0 Middle 20% received 11.2% 0.7- $36,171 -.............; Fourth 20% received 6.8% 3.4 $17,543 -.......".":". 0.4- Bottom 20% received 0.7% 38.6 19.7