higher than we are right now but agree with you that it's probably not the best policy to simply try to maximize revenue.

As far as getting us more in line with the rest of the world, that would require MASSIVELY raising taxes on the bottom 90% of earners at the same time as raising taxes on top earners. Now the bottom 90% would get social benefits to compensate for lower take home pay, but European countries do not just tax the shit out of the rich, they tax the shit out of everyone and need a broad tax based to pay for the benefits. I don't think that approach will work as well here, but if we're going to go down that path, the tax base needs to be significantly broadened... it can't just be on the backs of rich people (whether you define that as $10m+ or $500K+)

I just abhor the "fuck those rich guys attitudes". I can relate more to that attitude towards inherited wealth (and I see a lot of it down here, but the fact that some rich 30 year old drives a Ferrari and doesn't have to work is no skin off my back), but there are a ton of people who have achieved their wealth through ingenuity, hard work, risk taking, and yes, some luck. A guy in my neighborhood is a dermatologist who saw a need for better systems to run his business (billing, scheduling, records management, etc) and invested his time and money in creating a web based app to do just that. That company now employs nearly 1,000 people, just passed $100 million in revenue, and with the latest round of funding, it is now officially a half a unicorn. He owns half the company so on paper he's now worth ~$250 million (don't ask me why he still lives in my neighborhood... I'd have a mansion on the water). He still practices dermatology (on a significantly reduced schedule), and could not be a nicer, humbler guy. And you have 1,000 people drawing a paycheck because of he decided to actually run with his idea and make it a reality. Why on earth would anyone want to "fuck him over". It's just a stupid, petty, jealous mindset.