>You make about as much money as I do, solidly middle class, why do want to protect the wealthy so much. All things even, the poor are much more in need of our protect. By your own words above "The rich meet their own needs".

I probably fit into that category too. I want to "protect" the right to become wealthy. It's the wealthy people of the world who make it go round. Granted, of the many I've met, I haven't cared much for them. However, I want to know that if I work my way into wealth that those who refuse to work won't be sucking the life out of me via the tax system. Those who can work should, and those who can't we should help. The problem is too many who can work, don't or won't.