Ask yourself why an American should pay a tax to be an American according to his wealth?
He shouldn't, he should pay tax in accord with the benefit he derives from the American society and its economy.
One should not be taxed on their productivity, (that which they contribute to society and economy as measured by income), only on that by which they as measured by their consumption.
That which is put back into the economym growing your wealth as well as expanding productivity and economic capacity, should never be taxed.
Socialism looks to equalize everyone down to the same level of wealth and income. Capitalism and free enterprise looks to encourage and provide the expansion of wealth and capacity for growth, ones productivity over one's consumption of goods and services derived as benefit as a member of society.
I'll take an individual consumption tax anyday, over the socialist's tax on incomes and productivity.
Well Geezer, you are quite persuasive. And if we have to have a tax, I will gladly side with you on the consumption tax as being the most fair.
But if we tax on the front side, then a flat tax on every citizen is the way to go, like a driver license. I cannot swallow that I work smarter or harder and therefore have to pay more to be an American.