[lliamander]

It is true that successful people often discount the role of luck in their success, but the fact is that even while we don't get to choose what opportunities come our way, we do have control over how we choose to exploit those opportunities.

I find your moral calculus about taxation rather odd. Just because someone didn't earn something doesn't mean other people have a right to take it. For example, just because someone is blessed by genetic lottery with a luxurious head of hair doesn't mean I have a right forcibly take that hair and make a wig to cover my own balding head.