The argument over tax rates are this: In America, conservatives believe the taxes of the rich is too high.  And liberals believe the rich are taxed too little.  So, it seems to placate everyone, that there needs to be a policy of figuring out where people stand politically and adjust their taxes accordingly.  If you are conservative, you get a tax cut if you are in the top tax bracket.  If you are conservative and middle and lower taxes, your taxes get left alone.  And if you are liberal, your taxes should get raised, no matter how little or much you make now, because you favor tax increases.  There, problem solved.  You may even get a site like this approving taxes being increased on some rich people:

http://dailycaller.com/2012/06/17/jon-stewart-mocks-rich-romney-while-outpacing-him-in-wealth/

Yes, the entire fixation was on how much Jon Stewart makes, in comparison to Romney, rather than tax rates.  So, if Stewart has his taxes raised, it would placate individuals who think liberals are evil socialists anyhow.  Look, you could make it so punitive to be liberal, that it would have a side effect of making Jon Stewart change views so much he could be suitable for Fox News, and they could dust off the Half Hour News Hour, and it might have a chance to become even remotely funny.

I say we eliminate all rich people, then burn all their assets. Then the assets of everyone else will be worth more.

I guess life isn't fair.

How about this instead: if you constantly make fun of rich people who don't want to pay more taxes (as if there's something wrong with that), then don't be a rich person who refuses to pay your "fair share" in taxes.

Cool?

Cool.

To be fair... there is a stance in between there.

Warren Buffet for example thinks that the federal government would be far less efficent with his money then charities.   He just thinks the tax rate would get more overall cash that would make up for governments crippling inefficency.  (This was his response when he was asked why he doesn't cut a check to congress instead of Bill Gates)

Now... I know what your thinking...

"So why isn't he argueing about cutting back on government efficency."

I'd guess he figures raising taxes is easier. 

EDIT: OH wow, actually that was specifically about stewart.  Wow that does look pretty bad.

He is a simple solution...have every one pay the same rate. Like in Europe. A speeding ticket based off of my income will be about $100. Depending on how rich I am that same speeding ticket would cost me 1000 to 1 Million. If I am a billionaire a $100 dollar ticket would not deter me. So, it is fair.

Uh... Europe doesn't have a flat tax system....

it has a progressive system.

Like the US.

The FairTax^SM Plan

Your money, your decision

The current federal income tax system is clearly broken -- unfair, overly complex, and almost impossible for most Americans to understand. But there is a reasonable, bipartisan alternative that is both fair and easy to understand. A system that allows you to keep your whole paycheck and only pay taxes on what you spend.

The FairTax is a national sales tax that treats every person equally and allows American businesses to thrive, while generating the same tax revenue as the current three-million-word-plus word tax code. Under the FairTax, every person living in the United States pays a 23% national sales tax on purchases of new goods and services. This rate is equal to the lowest current income tax bracket (15%) combined with employee payroll taxes (7.65%), both of which will be eliminated.

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I realize that 23% sales tax might sound outrageous to some, but this really is a great solution. Get rid of all other taxes except for taxes on new goods and services. You keep all the money you make and don't have to pay taxes unless you spend it on something you want. The rich don't get out of this because if they buy a million dollar car or 5 million dollar house they still have to pay 23% sales tax. It is fair because the rate is the same for everyone and it rewards people for saving their money.

^Actually, I think the rich might save a lot more money with that system, since most of the rich buy their cars/houses/jets through a company.

23% sales tax and no other taxes would be utopia for Dutch people. Sales tax is being raised to 21% this year on top of 52% income tax on everything you make over 55k euro a year. (lowest is 33%) Plus property tax ofcourse and 1.2% on your net worth.

Taxes were simple in the beginning, but as long as they're used as a tool to manipulate peoples behavior they'll never be simple again. And it's alot easier to hide how much you pay in total by putting it in everything.