Didn't understand this question, but I'd like to so please clarify: "When, exactly, did doing good for society come to equal paying off a gigantic, intrusive, abusive global empire"?

Taxes in and of themselves are a "salvo against property rights", if you look at it through your lens. I think the problem that many people have with the current tax code is that it overwhelmingly favors the wealthy via loopholes, a low capital gains tax and a complexity that only someone with means can navigate.

Personally, I am all for a flat tax, so long as the wealthy have ZERO way of navigating around it. This means if its a flat 10% (for easy math), you are paying the govt 10% of ALL earnings regardless of weather they are investment driven etc. If you earn 50k a year you will pay 5k in taxes. If you earn 500k in capital gains, you will pay 50k in taxes etc.

Currently capital gains are taxed at a 15% rate. This isn't right. The idea that raising this tax will "drive away investment" is false.

I'm all for fair and right now, what we have isn't fair. If we must remain in a graduated tax bracket system, then the wealthy need to pay a higher percent. Otherwise, introduce a flat tax that isn't "game-able" and I'm in.

(edit) This flat tax would have to be over a poverty line that is higher than what is currently in place.