Rand is overly simplistic and draws false dichotomies abound. It has never been the case that the &quot;productive&quot; have been opposed to wealth redistribution or other state proclivities, since they do in fact benefit greatly from favors such as limited liability laws, barriers to trade, subsidization, land laws, police power, government contract procurement and other initiatives. Hell, the NRA part of the New Deal originated from a plan drafted by the then-president of General Electric, Gerard Swope.<p>Thus they are not so productive as they are symbiotic with the state. Tax laws are a complete red herring, serving mostly as a public show to incite people about whether or not someone is paying their &quot;fair share,&quot; even though nominal balances are generally frictionless in absence of velocity of spending. Poor people have lower wealth elasticities of demand and will always bear the most burden from taxation.<p>Rothbard is much more lucid than Rand.