Between 1951 and 1963, the highest marginal tax rate in the US exceeded 90% [0]. This is a period of time generally regarded as one of booming economic growth in the US, an exceptionally good time to be in the middle class, and a time span looked upon fondly by your stereotypical American conservative.
Edit: Why do people put up with it? Because of the progressive tax system. If my choices are a) earn $517k b) earn $1m but get taxed 37% on everything over $518k, I know what I'm picking. (Numbers come from the 2020 US tax brackets)
During the same period, only a handful of families paid that rate. There was an enormous amount of tax avoidance[0], with the real rate actually paid by top incomes under 50%[0]. When the official rate was lowered by JFK, tax receipts surged. This is the "real" laffer curve. Now it's not clear where the Laffer point is, but it's certainly to the left of 90%.
Economics devoid of morality is a poor governing principle, in my view. Even if 90% tax rates could be economically justified as not impacting growth (obviously not true), it is morally reprehensible because it is tantamount to indentured servitude.
Edit: Why do people put up with it? Because of the progressive tax system. If my choices are a) earn $517k b) earn $1m but get taxed 37% on everything over $518k, I know what I'm picking. (Numbers come from the 2020 US tax brackets)
[0] https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/statistics/historical-highes...