I'm not disagreeing with you @jaredhowe. I actually did state that taxing the rich could result in the opposite effect of helping people. My problem comes with the loopholes made by the rich to benefit the rich and I don't see trickle down effects of those loopholes are helping anyone but someone's bottom line. My perspective on that comes from seeing stuff like this all the time:

There is also the saying that people will spend what they make. Not too many people are savvy enough to "save for a rainy day". I would bet that if you asked 10 friends what they would do with that extra 30% - maybe one or two of them would say INVEST. Chances are, they've been eyeing a new toy or upgrade of something.

Yes. Roads would probably be a lot cheaper if government wasn't so bloated - but to leave it to the people? No. It wouldn't get done because you'd have part of the population who feel entitled to better roads but don't think it's their responsibility, people who won't care because it's not a road they travel...and then again, a few choice few who are truly philanthropic and capable that may shoulder the responsibility. We're using roads as examples but you can put that to any community-oriented task with the same results - even Steemit.

I know about government theft! Our assets were seized by New York for a business we closed almost 4 years ago...and they "didn't get the paperwork." That was a loss of 2 months salary...which cost me my house, my car, and my credit score because literally everything was late.

My aunt couldn't afford healthcare and didn't qualify for any kind of assistance until she was too far gone with cancer to save. I could even argue that the government killed her. Trust me when I say I am no fan of the government.

All that aside, my original point is that rich people are not bad people but they will take care of their own. I truly believe it's just a part of human nature - a need to be elite or exclusive...or better...or richer...or king of the mountain...