I think you're referring to Nordic countries which consistently rank as the happiest countries and also have relatively high tax rates (4 of 5 Nordic countries rank in the top 11 tax rates globally. Norway has oil.) The high taxes that "make everybody poorer" also fund extensive social services that contribute to happiness.

However, this conversation is about making (a class of) workers poorer by using tax policy that puts downward pressure on their salaries. Tax revenues will stay the same, so social services will not be increased. Economic inequality increases because the workers became poorer, the C-Suite and Board Members don't.

In the US, software is one of the few remaining ways to achieve the American dream. I came to this country to work hard and earn money.

EU has better societal benefits than the US (access to healthcare, education, mandated vacation time (often starting at 3-4 weeks).

The vast majority of people care about living a life without suffering. In the US this is only reserved for the rich it seems.

Exceptions are HCOL tech hubs, but comp in those places is much higher.

This is the sign of a broken economy.