this is one-side story.:).

If you count SS and medicare as tax, you will find that all groups pay abut the same rate (~19%, keep in mind that the tax deferred money will have to pay tax in the futre, so it should not be in the rate calculation.). The key for high income people is the dividend and long-term capital gain. If someone is paying 35%, he/she is likely to benefit from the special tax rate for long-term-capital gain and dividend now or later.