The researchers analyzed the relationship between tax progressivity and personal well-being in 54 nations surveyed by the Gallup Organization in 2007a total of 59,634 respondents. Well-being was expressed in peoples assessments of their overall life quality, from worst to best possible life, on a scale of 1 to 10; and in whether they enjoyed positive daily experiences (such as smiling, being treated with respect, and eating good food) or suffered negative ones, including sadness, worry, and shame. Finally, the analysis looked at the participants satisfaction with their nations public goods, from schools to clean air.
Pay attention to how they “corrected” for things like social security taxes goverment benefit ect...
This is a leftist study if ever their was one. What else would you expect from psychologicalscience.org?
If 25% of income earners are paying 90% of the income taxes, then 75% of the people will be "happy" with the tax system. If 5% are paying 90% of the freight for everybody else (more "progressive"), then 95% of the people will be happy. See how it works? I bet it took an expensive "study" to figure this out.
And I would bet anything the expensive "study" was funded by government (ie., taxpayers).