But the rich do pay more. How can you miss that? The poor in this editorial pay 4% of their income in taxes, the rich pay close to 50% of their income in taxes. I don't have the stats at my fingertips, but I believe the top 5% in income pay 50% of all taxes collected in the US.
The WSJ point is solid. If poor people can vote themselves goodies from the government, yet pay only 4% of their income in taxes, then they will vote for lots and lots (and lots) of goodies for themselves. Just so long as other people pay for them.
It should be clear that this is unsustainable over the long haul.
Solution is a flat tax IMO. It's fair in that everyone pays the same percentage. If you think your taxes are too high at that point, you have an incentive to vote against goodies for people.