You honestly believe that 17% of Americans pay Federal taxes?  It is more like 65% pay Federal income taxes.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/45-of-americans-pay-no-federal-income-tax-2016-02-24
https://www.forbes.com/sites/beltway/2015/10/06/new-estimates-of-how-many-households-pay-no-federal-income-tax/#248460c161cb