I mention my income because:
1.
I'm lazy and I am already familiar with the effects of tax policy on this group and thus have a lot of information readily at hand. That is why I can so often show exactly the mechanisms by which many tax policies systematically favor the rich and what the effects are.
2.
It demolishes the idea that people who say we should raise taxes on the rich are talking about someone else. My taxes are too low.
3.
It demolishes the puerile idea that there is any resentment involved. I don't think I am alone in not wanting to be given an unfair advantage when I am already advantaged. But I am surprised at the brutal greed of so many people who will take from the poor by cutting social services and eliminating programs to borrow the money to cut their taxes.
4.
Unlike most people who get into this bracket who are desperate to pretend they're not rich and really, gosh, just middle-class like you are! I know that is a lie and I think it is important to say so. Someone making $250,000 + on an ongoing basis is not living in the same economic universe as someone who is making $50,000 - $100,000.
5.
I have been both very poor and now somewhat rich. I am not ashamed of the former neither do I think the latter is caused by virtue. I am glad of both experiences because I know in detail what the effects of changing economic policies would be. People who claim that talking about income is 'bad form' are telling you a lie; they are saying that your income reflects on you as a person. If I wanted to hide the fact that some people are getting screwed I would try to promote the idea that you should never talk about it.
yrs,
rubato