And the primary reason they have fewer poor people is that they provide more direct government assistance to the poor… which doesn’t increase their tax base. Above the bottom third or so of the population (ie, the people receiving more government assistance than they pay for), the American middle class makes more, and the upper class makes significantly more.

Now, you could also say that a higher proportion of total taxes paid is paid by the middle class in Europe partially because the middle class produces a higher share of total income (as they have a smaller upper class), but that’s separate from talking about the tax rate.

That said, I’m fully in agreement with the idea that the US should tax its wealthier more.

I personally favor increased social spending.  But if your best argument is “rich people are whiny and racist” you’re going to get stomped if you ever find yourself obligated to defend your position in public.  Your comment doesn’t add anything to the discussion– in fact, it degrades the discussion by lending the impression that this is how adults talk about problems.