Generally, if you or I take what belongs to another person (wealthy or not) it is called theft. However, when we start talking about governments expropriating w

Generally, if you or I take what belongs to another person (wealthy or not) it is called theft. However, when we start talking about governments expropriating wealth for its own ends - such as paying off its spending deficits - that's considered OK. No one argues with the concept that necessary government services should be paid for by the people who live in a country and make use of those services. What is usually objected to is when someone gets the bright idea that because wealthy people have money, that money should be taken to pay for irresponsible government spending. It's no different than infamous bank robber Willie Sutton. He was asked why he robbed banks and offered as a reply, "Because that's where the money is."