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I don't mean to make this into a politics board discussion (I swore off the politics board awhile ago) but before we totally trash the progressive tax system I think a point should be made.
Now, a lot of the reason some people are rich is because they work hard. But a lot of it is also that they have been given great opportunities by our free society. Some people receive better opportunities then others, I doubt anyone will argue with that. These opportunities come about not just from sheer luck, but because we live in a free, open, peaceful and prosperous society. Taxes are the dues you pay to live in that society. It makes sense that people who have seen far greater benefits from that society should pay more.
Look at Bill Gates. Bill Gates worked really hard, but not millions of times harder then the average American. He also hit it big because of the innovations of thousands of other people, which happened in no small part because the United States has an excellent public education system, limited internal unrest, free expression etc. So it makes sense that Gates should pay more for the maintenance of that society then the average American.
I'd try to come up with a funny story to go with that but it's pretty late, maybe tomorrow.
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