I'll chime in here with real life taxes
I pay 15% income tax on my dividends (qualified dividends)
I pay ZERO on my tax free muni bonds
Without saying what I earn --- it is SUBSTANTIAL.... but my actual tax rate is quite low in percentage terms == especially when you figure some at zero. MY total tax bill will be far higher than most of you in dollar terms. I still only get one vote and drive on the same roads.
Now ---- I have that income because the MONEY that makes that money was already taxed at ordinary income taxes -- so the money that's left is ALL MINE.... now I just pay taxes on what it earns. Same as that simpleton Warren Buffet (I hate people that want to speak for me -- but are far richer -- and that old fart ought to just shut the hell up and write a big fat check to the IRS if he wants to pay more).
BTW --- I'd LOVE to see a flat tax -- corporate and personal --- ZERO deductions for ANYONE for ANYTHING. Just gross as much as you can and pay your percentage and be done with it. They could index the rates -- less for low earners -- more for the next bracket and hammer the top guys - but make it simple and easy. You gross X - you pay X. You want a big azz car and house - that's your problem not mine.