While very simplistic, the lesson below is a spot on analysis
The definition of simplistic: "characterized by extreme and often misleading simplicity." We will agree that this contrived fable is simplistic.
First off, this idea that the working poor pay no tax at all is misleading. They pay Medicare and Social Security tax at a higher effective rate than the rich. Since they must spend a higher percentage of their income on the basics, sales taxes such as the gas tax hit the poor at a much higher rate than the rich. The poor are hit harder by government user fees than the rich-- for example in most states, the poor person spends the same amount to register their $1000 beater at the DMV as the rich person spends to register their $70,000 Lexus.
Secondly, "the tenth man" has improved his lot under the tax laws dramaically over the past 50 years or so. Take a look for yourself at how the top marginal income tax rate has dropped over the past several decades. Top marginal rates were 91% in the 50s and 70% during the 70s. The tenth man didn't leave the country then, and nobody is seriously suggesting a return to those kind of confiscatory tax rates anyway. Most proponents of tax increases for the rich suggest repeal of the Bush tax cuts, which would mean raising the top marginal tax rate from the current 35% to 39.6%. If people are willing to abandon the United States over a minor tax tweak like this, then good riddance. If these "friendlier" countries overseas didn't have the United States providing what amounts to a worldwide military defense, they'd have to charge higher taxes themselves to build and maintian their own security forces. But having a smaller military and abandoning our role as world policeman is unacceptable to some Republicans, who have contempt and fear of any and all strength outside of the United States.
Finally, many of us Democrats fully appreciate the vast amount of taxes paid by the rich. The idea that Democrats are as a group are obsessed by class envy is just not true. True Democrats are pro business, pro capitalism, pro free enterprise, and believe that an honest, law-abiding American should be able to enjoy the fruits of his or her own labors. Republicans like to sieze upon the views of a few far-left Socialists who may vote Democratic but hardly reflect the majority view of the party.
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