Our tax system, sad but true.

Right, now let's pay attention to what intellectuals (oh, no, they tend to be liberal!) have to say about economics, not just businessmen.

Give a rich man money, and he gets richer. That's the definition of rich - you have enough money that you don't have to worry about it.
Give a poor man money, and he buys food, clothes, a car, a house.

The poor man spending money gives *real* strength to an economy because it touches the actual productivity of the state. This is the job of the government - to help the real economy.

The initial anecdote in this discussion is flawed. Rich people don't disappear in the real world. There's no exodus of wealthy Americans to countries that treat them better. Wealth is redistributed, and people 1-9 get wealthier and can afford more of the meal.

The only net flux to the country is through trade, which is more affected by consumer demand, which in turn is shaped by the average american Joe, not the average american rich guy.