> The "problem" in this case is that Thiel was already a billionaire to begin with, and such luck on top of existing wealth is what irrationally bothers people.
This isn't how I feel and I don't actually think that is the case ProPublica is making. Tax breaks can also be understood as payments - is it in the interest of the US to pay Thiel to put his money in a Roth? How much should the US pay? How many of your tax dollars would you want to go to funding tax breaks for Thiel?
I am sure people are vindictive as well, but the tax questions seem both meaningful and work asking to me.