Dr Adequate and Nuggin--
You two seem to be promoting the policy that the state has the right to take anything it wants from the individual based on it's presumed "need."
It is a short distance from "anything" to "everything" ala "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs)." Who decides?
At the point where a society ends up with more takers than makers, what is to keep the makers from leaving? And if the makers leave, who then will support the takers in the style in which they would like to become accustomed? (Recall the parable of the goose?)
What we are seeing is Bread and Circuses (q.v.).
The downward spiral we see promoted by many to "tax the rich" is viable only as long as we have "the rich." When you destroy "the rich" or drive them away, who then will support your failed policies?
In a broader sense: Why should I work to support you?
ps. John Galt was right.