Most Americans Think the Rich Don't Pay Taxes; The Numbers Tell a More Uncomfortable Story

"When it comes to financial charges, most Americans will agree that the notion of "fairness" is when it is applied equally, regardless of one's race, creed, or color. An example would be a movie ticket. All adults, children under 12, and senior citizens over 65 are all charged the same, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. An example of a tax that all Americans would also deem to be fair, would be something like a sales tax."

"One topic, however, that divides Americans along political lines is that of income tax. Those on the Right believe that income taxes are too high, and that those who have taken risks should not be penalized if they are successful. The often used argument from those on the Left who feel that anyone's success is achieved through unethical means favor confiscating larger amounts from them to "pay their fair share.""

"Taxation that escalates based on greater earnings success is technically labeled as "progressive", while flat taxes that apply to all equally, even though it is the grammatically proper term, are pejoratively described as "regressive". Ironically, in real life, those at the highest wealth tiers, with the exception of perhaps Elon Musk, pay a smaller percentage of their overall income than those in the upper middle class."

Most Americans equate fairness in charges with equal application regardless of race, creed, or color, using examples like movie tickets and sales taxes. Income tax divides political opinion: some argue high taxes punish risk-taking, while others favor higher levies on perceived unearned success to make people pay their fair share. Progressive taxation increases rates with earnings, while flat taxes treat all incomes equally and are sometimes labeled regressive. In practice, the very wealthiest often pay a smaller percentage of overall income than upper-middle-class earners. Historical origins of federal income tax trace to Civil War funding needs and tensions over private property protection.

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