Most commenters here seem to have a false impression of the distribution of taxation. "The rich pay little taxes" is disinfo. The truth is more like "the rich pay most of the taxes."

The US has had progressive taxation since 1913. Today, taxes on the top 1% of earners comprise 40% of federal income tax revenue, top 5% comprise 60%, while the bottom 50% comprise 2% (however note income taxes are only half of federal revenue). Per CBO, the US gini coefficient falls by 0.17 (a third) when you account for taxes and transfers.

Our legislators have created tons of complexity in our tax codes which people use to reduce their tax burdens. I mainly blame congress and the electorate. Donors are only culpable for funding congressional campaigns' appeals to voters.