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If the great budget battle has proved anything, it is that after a decade of political and fiscal sleight of hand, neither party can convincingly claim to be the party of the average American. Democrats may gain a short-term advantage through a "soak the rich" crusade, but in the long run it is likely to backfire if the G.O.P. can convince the electorate that the other party is reverting to its tax-and-spend traditions. The politics of resentment leaves a bitter aftertaste that demagogues can exploit. As the rhetoric escalates between now and Election Day, neither side will earn much trust or support from voters whose anger is aimed directly at Washington's feckless ways.
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CREDIT: NO CREDIT
CAPTION: SOAKING THE RICH
CHART: NOT AVAILABLE
CREDIT: NO CREDIT
CAPTION: MILKING THE MIDDLE