> I would happily pay 80% taxes if I knew that when I needed it most the welfare state would have my back, but I know that it won't. No, you wouldn't. If you

> I would happily pay 80% taxes if I knew that when I needed it most the welfare state would have my back, but I know that it won't. No, you wouldn't. If you lived on 20% of your income ($60,000 - still double that $30k household that you claim is the same), you could retire in 5.5 working years and have that nest egg sustain you forever - no welfare state needed. If you drop it down to the $30,000, saving 90% of your income, you could retire in 3 years. http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-simple-math-behind-early-retirement/ http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-sim... Your lifestyle is preventing you from doing that, and your lifestyle and the fact that you can choose whether or not to live the $30k lifestyle is how you are not the same as that $30k household on the other end of town. > That is why I am a socialist and I know I'm not the only one. You're still only a socialist as long as you're spending other people's money.