I wonder if part of the story might be that Americans (and really most wealthy countries) have a tendency to feel like they've "done their part" through taxes.

I wonder if part of the story might be that Americans (and really most wealthy countries) have a tendency to feel like they've "done their part" through taxes. And since the rates are progressive, you not only contribute more in dollars, you actually contribute a larger portion of your income the more you make, so wealthier people actually are "giving more". Surely this has an effect on the culture. Contrast the 33% tax bracket in America @ $190k (then you add on medicare taxes and social security and state taxes which would be about 10% in California) with Hong Kong's maximum of 15%. I don't know what it's like in the country in Asia you come from.