[anamax]

> I, like Buffet, Gates and many others, believe that those of us who are in a position to pay 40% of our income and still live in extraordinary comfort should do so.

Buffet and Gates won't be paying 40% in income taxes. And, nothing has stopped them from paying 40% in the past, so ...

Hmm - have you been paying the higher tax rates that you propose? If not, why not?

Most people are employed by folks who make more money. Why don't you want more of that?

And then there's the actual effect of luxury taxes. It turns out that people of modest means are employed making them, so when you reduce the sales of said goods through taxes, said people lose their jobs. What is the benefit that exceeds that cost?

Buffet and Gates have also arranged things so that almost none of their wealth will be subject to estate taxes.