It won't happen because it creates a problematic power structure for the federal government. In that scenario, any of those intermediaries who are unhappy with

It won't happen because it creates a problematic power structure for the federal government. In that scenario, any of those intermediaries who are unhappy with the tiers above them can simply refuse to pass on the income. If Texas wants to strong-arm looser federal gun regulations, or California wants to strong-arm abortion protections at the federal level, they can just refuse to pay taxes to the federal government. Citizens can do the same thing, but at a much higher risk and dramatically more organizing. Citizens risk being arrested and funds can be confiscated, but what can the feds do if a state does it? Invade? Plus you would need millions of citizens to not pay taxes to have an effect, but you need a tiny number of states to throw the entire budget into chaos. What you're saying makes sense from an efficiency perspective, but I don't think the power dynamic is acceptable to the federal government.