there is a false premise in the current tax debate that does not get mentioned enough, if ever. and its this: the super-rich did not become successful purely from their own effort and diligence. you either have to be a fool or wilfully blind to believe that. 

the american dream can be a pernicious myth that makes people believe that they don’t owe anything to anybody - that people are fully entitled to everything they have because the only inputs to their success was their own hard work.

i dont think it’s controversial to say that luck plays a prominent role in the vast majority of american success stories. and more than just luck, federal and state governments have cultivated an environment in which its citizens can become successful and take risks. 

whether its aid programs (medicaid, pell grants et al.) or government services (public school, national defense et al.) or government policies (bankruptcy law and nonrecourse debt), everyone benefits from the government. why is it SO unreasonable to ask those who have benefited the most to contribute more?