Tax hikes and cuts since 1940 in two easy graphs

Assuming the fiscal cliff deal falls through, the Washington Post shows us where the resulting tax increase would fit in comparison with recent changes:

This graph shows the impact - change in revenue as a percentage of GDP - of specific laws since 1940. The three red bars represents three options for dealing with the cliff:



This one shows changes in revenue - as a percentage of GDP - from 1940 - 2010.