<p>"I guess I’m struggling with the word “deserve” here. Do I make more money than person X - yes. Do I “deserve” more? "</p>
<p>if theres no place for “deserve” than since A. You make more than X, and X can survive, and clearly you can survive on what X makes and B. its very unlikely that if we taxed you say 20% more, that you would work 20% less (esp as you probably enjoy what you do far more than doing what X does) and C. We have a looming budget crisis, such that some people want to radically cut back medicaid, among other things - than I think its reasonable to make you pay more in taxes.</p>
<p>Right now there are people in congress flirting with a possible financial disaster because they think you DESERVE your money. In a basic, moral, unarguable way. ANd they will not pass a debt limit increase without a long term budget plan, and they will not compromise on a long term budget plan that includes an increase in the progressivity of income tax rates. </p>
<p>Discussing the kinds of issues raised by the OP, while ignoring the debate at the heart of our polity at the moment - it just seems strange to me.</p>