> pay proportionally more to maintain it. Furthermore, the bargain "to pay less tax, be less successful" is not one that any rational actor would make. It's inherently fair.

if it were really true that paying more taxes leads to more success, then they would pay more. But it isn't true - patently not true. The less tax you pay, the more you get to keep for yourself, and reinvest, and the more likely you reach higher "success".