David Watson knows a thing or two about taxes. You don’t get to be a millionaire without learning the ins and outs of the tax system. This morning on the steps of the federal building in Sacramento, Calif., Watson—a member of the Patriotic Millionaires—told a Tax Day demonstration of union members, community, faith and other activists a couple of the lessons he’s learned.

The tax system is designed to give me breaks that I didn't ask for and I don't need. Our taxes [millionaires’] are historically low. We're supposed to have a progressive tax rate in this country. We don't.     

The Sacramento action—click here to read the Twitter feed from the California Labor Federation—was just one of hundreds of  “Tax Wealth Not Work,” Tax Day actions around the nation today.

Activists from AFL-CIO, Working America, Move On and other unions and progressive groups of  the 99% Spring coalition demanded that the 1% and corporations pay their fair share.

Outside an Iowa Workforce Development office in Ames—one of several that Gov. Terry Branstad (R) closed last year—workers slammed Rep. Steve King (R) for his support of the Republican/Romney/Ryan budget that gives millionaires and huge corporations  more tax breaks than they already get. AFSCME member Daniel Noonan says:

Regular, middle-class Iowans are getting shafted. Instead of focusing on the economy and helping unemployed Iowans, too many of our elected leaders like Representative King are taking care of their big donors… It’s outrageous and unacceptable. Iowans deserve better.

Outside a Bank of America branch in Raleigh, N.C., union activist Jeremy Sprinkle told The Progressive Pulse reporters:    

We’re out here because working families are frustrated on Tax Day that they are paying their fair share and millionaires and too many corporations are not doing what they need to.  We want politicians to start paying attention to what matters. That means investments in jobs. That means investments in public education. That means taking care of the middle class because the middle class made this country.

Click here for a slide show of  the Raleigh actions.

In Washington, D.C., demonstrators marched outside of super-lobbyist Grover Norquist’s office and called on elected officials to reject Norquist’s anti-tax pledge to protect the 1% and called for proper funding for Medicare and Social Security, not tax cuts for millionaires. Thanks to  Julia Kann of Union City for the photo.

Jack Irby, a retired member of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers (BCTGM) from Smyrna, Tenn., used a letter to the editor in The Tennessean  to call for the 1% and big corporations to pay their fair share. "Every year, we grumble about filing taxes. But I know taxes keep the roads safe, the water free of pollution, and protect my community and country. We pay because we pride in our work and value our community."

It’s time millionaires and corporations pay their fair share, too. But Congress is considering bestowing more tax giveaways to the super-wealthy with the budget by Paul Ryan and House Republicans.