In the case where "you" is the government, the moral basis for the claim on wealth created is that 1) government was instrumental in the creation of this wealt

In the case where "you" is the government, the moral basis for the claim on wealth created is that 1) government was instrumental in the creation of this wealth: you needed the legal system to enforce contracts, the common language taught in schools to communicate with employees, suppliers and consumers, regulators to make sure your suppliers were giving you legit stuff, roads for transport, postal service, etc 2) governement is instrumental in helping you keep this wealth: police forces, general property law enforcement. edit: if you're very cynical, you can argue that high income tax + welfare is still cheaper than suppressing a violent revolution by poor people.