In an ideal fantasy world, I might agree with this. But in reality, the richest have always paid a higher share because that is the only way it works out. Otherwise you end up in a situation like Imperial Rome or like Bourbon France where the vast majority of the nations wealth was concentrated in the hands of an elite few, while the masses got poorer and poorer. The result--economic collapse or revolution.

It is in the interests of the rich to live in a country where you can get rich, but it is also in thier interests that there is a large, content middle class that is doing well and very few poor and disenchanted malcontents. The current tax system is widening the gap between the rich and the middle class. When the middle class become worried and disillusioned, it will not be a good thing for the rich either. It would lead to social unrest, revolution, and true socialism where the rich are not allowed to exist.

Because you like it that way. You should see my '85 Chevy pickup. Bet I can out-pull you.

You have a far different sense of "even" than I do. Consider this:

A hard-working LSU janitor making $25K paying 20% is impacted severely and can barely pay for rent, bus fare, and food with nothing left to save for kids, retirement or for vacation.

A hard-working LSU professor making 100K (and paying 20% tax) can pay a house note, car note, eat good food, save for retirement, buy nice things, and save for kids college. Most years he can have a nice vacation, too.

A hard-working LSU head coach making almost $4 million a year can be taxed 20% and never notice it. He can live in a mansion, have three vacation homes, a classic car collection, a private jet, send his wife to Tiffany's every week and he and his kids are set for life. He pays an accountant to handle his taxes and he never even thinks about them.

I don't need a winch yet, Scooter.