Even though it may be against their interests someone may look at a person making one million a year, see they pay close to 50% of their income in taxes (if they live in California for instance) and think that&#x27;s enough.<p>The majority of our income taxes are paid by very high income people. They may also feel that if we tax them too punitively they&#x27;ll leave or cheat or have less money to start&#x2F;maintain businesses, etc.<p>The top marginal tax rate is about %40 right? It used to be 90% in 1960 and 70% in 1980 although these kicked in at much higher amount of wealth than in the modern day. What do people think is &#x27;fair&#x27; considering most do not even understand progressive taxes. 100 years ago there was no income tax.<p>I personally think we spend too much and the main reason I support higher taxes on the rich (especially cap gains over a certain amount) is so it is not as easy to subvert the political system in their favor. I don&#x27;t know what number is &#x27;fair&#x27; though.