I think that a lot of people that are against higher/progressive taxes or see these level of inequality (income and wealth) as a good thing believe in the "self-made man" myth.

But that is just a myth. When someone "makes it", can you really disregard?

- his teacher from school

- the doctor that saved his life when he was young

- the guy on the street that maybe said something that triggered a chain of actions that ended in his success

- the books he read

- the peace of mind provided by living in a safe place

- etc.

Is it enough that you paid for that doctor appointment? I don't know. But you would not be here at all without it, and that doctor himself benefited from all of the above.

A different way of looking at things could be that, as we as a society don't know what works and what doesn't, we invest in people. Some are lucky, and based on their circumstances (and on their personal merit, I won't deny that) will manage to succeed in life.