The context for Occupy Wall Street and proposals to tax the rich is the broader issue of economic inequality. For years, liberal politicians, academics and pundits have complained about growing inequality, but their protests barely resonated with the public. When most people are doing okay, the fact that some people are doing better does not arouse much anger. No more. When many people do worse, or fear they might, the rich inspire resentment and envy. Glaring inequalities that once seemed tolerable become offensive.By and large, Americans regard the rich the way they do the poor. There are the "deserving" and the "undeserving". The deserving pioneer technologies, manage vibrant businesses or excel at something. Few resent the wealth of Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey. By contrast, the "undeserving" rich succeed through self-dealing or activities lacking broad social value.What"s happening now is that the more rich are being disparaged as "undeserving". Blamed for the financial crisis, Wall Street types top the list. Corporate chief executives stir similar ire.There are many theories about why inequality has increased, though no consensus: New technologies reward the highly skilled; globalization depresses factory wages; eroded union power does the same; employer-paid health insurance squeezes take-home pay; a "winner-take-all" society confers huge rewards on an elite of celebrities, sports stars and business leaders.The trouble is that the wealthy don"t fit the stereotypes: They aren"t all pampered CEOs, hotshot investment bankers, pop stars and athletes. Many own small and medium-sized companies. Reid would pay for Obama"s jobs plan by taxing the people who are supposed to create jobs. Does it make sense?The backlash against the rich is the start of debate, not the end. Are the rich to be punished for succeeding or merely asked to pay their "fair" share? Who is wealthy or who"s just well-off? If taxes do rise, what approach would best preserve incentives for hard work, investment and risk-taking? However measured, the rich are besieged; the attacks almost certainly will intensify.