about half the population doesn't pay ANY taxes.
Not true. Everyone pays sales tax, auto license fees, license plate fees, auto registration taxes, federal, state and local taxes on phones, cable, etc. Other taxes which everyone pays (but doesn't realize it) are import taxes (which raises the cost of food, clothing, electronics - you name it), excise taxes, FDA regulatory taxes, ATF regulatory taxes, and all other "fees" which govt agencies charge businesses - from the FTC, to the AMA to the WHO. Also, everyone who has a job pays social security and medicare which can be up to 12.5% of your pay. They probably pay state and local income taxes, even if they don't pay federal. TAXES ARE EVERYWHERE.