If you think you pay taxes, here is some U.S. Census Bureau income data from 2005 for households: 1 percent exceed $250,000, 5 percent over $166,000; 10 percent over $100,000.

So figure out where your household stands from the census data. Now figure out what percentage you contribute to U.S. taxes: 1 percent pay 36.7 percent; 5 percent pay 58.7 percent and 10 percent pay 70.5 percent.

The lowest 50 percent of households, earning $46,000 a year, combine to pay 2.25 percent of U.S. taxes.

So during this election period, when you hear the terms "tax cuts," or "tax increases," remember these numbers. This will tell you who the candidates are really talking about (and chances are, they're not talking about you or me).

Anastasia Beckman

Blaine