I would imagine that, in an ideal world, Govts would have to take less money from those that actually earn it if there were less able-bodied and lazy people sitting on their asses demanding a handout. JMHO.
Yep.. call me crazy but we are so far away from a 'fair' tax system it's a joke.
Here are the main components of government spending:
military expenditures - same for all citizens
infrastructure expenditures - same for all citizens, gas tax accounts for differences in usage.
health care expenditures - same for all citizens
Making the numbers up, everyone over the age of 18 would "owe" $3,000 for military expenditures, $3,000 for infrastructure spending, and $3,000 for healthcare (government provided portion) each year. People paying less than $9k are scamming the system and those above it are paying more than their fair share.
Taxes as a % of your income is progressive in-of-itself. Not to mention those paying in higher numbers are usually not recipients of welfare, subsidized hospital bills, etc. My friend's girl friend had her baby for NO cost and they receive enough money to feed their entire family at NO cost as long as the kid is still a kid.
In fact, non profits (subsidized by the gov't) actively
sought her out so she could take advantage of the programs and walked her through every step. They have easily received 60-75k in benefits. My friend does okay and certainly makes more than the average american working at a high end steak house but since they aren't married she is basically classified as a homeless, unemployed mom (she lives with him in an apartment).
60-75k is easily the total I've paid in taxes since I graduated college in 2008 - all those taxes right down the drain.