'Soak the rich': Paul Krugman blows up the GOP myth that Americans don't want taxes raised on the 1%

In an early morning tweetstorm, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman made the case that American's are not in the least adverse to seeing taxes raised on the rich despite Republican protestations.

The New York Times columnist began by noting that a Washington Post article indicates that there is a "profound shift" in the way that voters view proposals to shift more of the tax burden on the rich and that Democrats are feeling more and more comfortable talking about it.

According to Krugman, "Suddenly, taxing the rich is on the political agenda. Candidates are talking frankly about taxes as a way to limit inequality in a way we haven't seen for decades. But why is this happening now? The WaPo says there's a 'profound shift in public mood'."

Using charts showing tax rates, the economist went on explain, "The public has *always* favored higher taxes on the rich -- which also makes nonsense of claims that Dems are moving too far left on this issue. But obviously something has changed. It looks as if the veto power of the 1% over taxes has eroded."

He then posed a question to political scientists as to why attitudes have changed, before adding, "In a way the question is why soaking the rich wasn't on the agenda before -- at least explicitly. "

You can see his tweets below: