Early 80s?I'm guessing you weren't earning much in the early 80's. The Reagan tax cuts chopped the heck out of the top rates, but not so much the lower and middle ones. Since they also eliminated a lot of deductions, I ended up paying about the same. Meanwhile, tax revenues went way down ("Deficits don't matter") and the debt increased for several years after he left office.
81-82-83?
Reagan righted the ship, and the economy went full steam ahead shortly thereafter. I was there.