CHART: The Financial Impact of Raising Taxes on "the Rich"

I created this chart to put the "fiscal cliff" discussion in perspective.

The overall pie represents total federal outlays since Barack Obama took office, including next year, which is the subject of all the hullabaloo.

The red represents the amount of debt -- borrowing, which must be repaid along with interest -- that the federal leviathan has rung up on our children's behalf.

And that tiny green sliver? That represents the impact of allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for the top two tax brackets, er, I mean: "The Rich".

Those additional taxes mean nothing to the yawning chasm of debt. It's a spit in the bucket. Bupkis.

So, where are your spending cuts, Mr. President?