Systemic issues are not solved by individual action. Software people (generally) seem to understand that in our field; it's why we have standards and code reviews. I don't understand why that understanding leaks out of one's brain when it's applied to the rest of the world.

The issues that proponents intend to address with greater taxation on the wealthy have remarkably little to do with "the government doesn't have enough money". They have to do with "taxes form economic incentives and the current set of incentives suck for everybody". An individual--yes, including Bill Gates--paying more taxes has marginal impact on the systemic issues of high-end under-taxation. Had the phrase not been co-opted by dirtbags, we'd probably file the act you are asking your "Democrat friends" about under...wait for it...virtue signaling.