Well, the fact is, that when the Bush "temporary" tax cuts went into effect, charitable donations declined. If they were left to expire, taxes would still be about what they were when Reagan left office (Reagan actually ended up tripling the national debt).
Does anyone here ever think about "the good old days, the golden years", maybe the 50s, early 60s? The tax rate for top earners was above 90%, and that included the Eisenhower years. These days, there are loopholes and off shore strategies that make the actual rate lower for those who can take advantage. Multi-billion profits in one quarter, and Exxon Mobile pays virtually no taxes.
No one is against the American dream, work hard and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But the playing field is not level, and the "redistribution of wealth" goes both ways. Power from money influences policies that help a small group of Americans funnel earnings to the top. But now hard working mid and lower class earners, white and blue collar, have been devalued, the spoils only going to the richest. There was a time when a skilled tradesman was appreciated and could provide a decent life for his/her family.
Those with means provide better opportunities for their children, nothing wrong with that. But millions of young people have never been given a car by their parents and sent to college. So many people get a job because they or their parents "know somebody". Simply stated, not all Americans enjoy the same opportunities.
If too much regulation makes an unfair socialist state, recent events teach us that too little leads us to financial ruin. Evidently the "invisible hand" that guides the economy tends to get a little grabby when left totally unchecked.
Since the Reagan years the country has been shoved to the right. What was once considered moderate is now called liberal. That is just a fact. The government looking out for the welfare of all it's citizens, not just those with power and money is not socialism or communism. There is a middle ground, not just a black and white choice between free enterprise or socialism.