If that were true the top 10% income bracket wouldn't be paying the extreme majority of all the income taxes in the US (around 73% of all income taxes). Instead

If that were true the top 10% income bracket wouldn't be paying the extreme majority of all the income taxes in the US (around 73% of all income taxes). Instead they'd pay very little. The US is a highly progressive taxation country. By comparison, Scandinavian countries are far less progressive on taxation, the burden is spread wider, you're made to pay for eg your healthcare costs in said countries via high taxation. Also compare the typically modest US sales tax levels vs the high VAT taxes across Europe and elsewhere. Here are the facts for the US taxation profile. Top 1% of income earners - share of all income: 22%, share of all income taxes paid: 42%. Average income tax rate: 26%. So you've got the top 1% paying 42% of all income taxes. If they actually controlled taxation (ie if the US system of government worked by bribery as is so often incorrectly claimed), it's very clear that wouldn't be how things work. 5% to 1% bracket - share of all income: 16%, share of all income taxes paid: 20%. Average income tax rate: 17%. 10% to 5% bracket - share of all income: 11%, share of all income taxes paid: 11%. Average income tax rate: 13%. 25% to 10% bracket - share of all income: 21%, share of all income taxes paid: 15%. Average income tax rate: 10%. 50% to 25% bracket - share of all income: 19%, share of all income taxes paid: 9%. Average income tax rate: 7%. Bottom 50% - share of all income: 10%. Share of all income taxes paid: 2%. Taxpayers in the US earning under $42,000 had an average income tax rate of 3%.