[ernie]

Is not the 20.5% lower than before?

People are not being punished for earning more. They still take home more. And because they earn more they are being asked to contribute more because they can do so. And yes it is being asked because you can feel free to move to a different country if it bothers people that much.

btw as comparison in the US for federal rates:

Single:
$0 to $9,225 10%

$9,226 to $37,450 $922.50 plus 15% of the amount over $9,225

$37,451 to $90,750 $5,156.25 plus 25% of the amount over $37,450

$90,751 to $189,300 $18,481.25 plus 28% of the amount over $90,750

$189,301 to $411,500 $46,075.25 plus 33% of the amount over $189,300

$411,501 to $413,200 $119,401.25 plus 35% of the amount over $411,500

$413,201 or more $119,996.25 plus 39.6% of the amount over $413,200


Married Filing Separately:
$0 to $9,225 10%

$9,226 to $37,450 $922.50 plus 15% of the amount over $9,225

$37,451 to $75,600 $5,156.25 plus 25% of the amount over $37,450

$75,601 to $115,225 $14,693.75 plus 28% of the amount over $75,600

$115,226 to $205,750 $25,788.75 plus 33% of the amount over $115,225

$205,751 to $232,425 $55,662.00 plus 35% of the amount over $205,750

$232,426 or more $64,998.25 plus 39.6% of the amount over $232,425