I think that the percentage income tax rate is, largely, an arbitrary number. Which is to say, I can't find any anchoring, or a priori justification for, say,

I think that the percentage income tax rate is, largely, an arbitrary number. Which is to say, I can't find any anchoring, or a priori justification for, say, a 28% rate over a 32% rate, etc. That is, until we cross 50%. I feel that there are fundamental issue of fairness and proportionality that are incompatible with taking, via tax, more than half of any particular income - even marginal income. Two immediate reactions I have, related to these concepts of fairness and proportionality are: 1. What does it say about the fundamental relationship of the state to the individual if we are crossing the halfway point in a taking such as this ? 2. What does it say about the economic and budgetary functions of our government (their relative profligacy) if they can't make things work at 35 or 40 or 45% taxation rates ? Taxation is not my issue. I prefer to live in (relatively) high tax jurisdictions with robust government services and high quality infrastructure, etc., and I would like to help pay for that. There is, however, something about the halfway point that disturbs me.