You conveniently ignore the huge wealth discrepancies that allow the mega-rich the ability to derive the majority of their income from investments, rather than

You conveniently ignore the huge wealth discrepancies that allow the mega-rich the ability to derive the majority of their income from investments, rather than payroll. If you read Buffett's op-ed, his co-workers, who presumably make a good salary and are probably very savvy investors, pay effective tax rates nearly twice as high as Buffet. The only reason that Buffet and the mega-rich have a "choice" to pay lower effective tax rates is because they are mega-rich to begin with. No one is 'punishing' the mega-rich. We are asking them to pay their fair share. They derive much greater benefit from the social stability provided by a strong government than does the average person. As such, they should be required to contribute accordingly.