I agree with almost everything you say. I'd just push back on the "confiscated" terminology. We can (and should) make clear to our elected representatives when they spend our tax money in ways we see as unnecessary. However, income taxes are necessary to fund things like national defense, highways, support for allies, etc. that make us safer and allow our country to function and be one of the most desirable places in the world to live. And funding all this with progressive taxation is much more fair than any of the other options people try to push for when they're better off than the majority of our countrymen (and women).

One legal way to reduce your tax burden is, e.g., contributing the maximum allowed to retirement plans such as 401(k). Since this will ultimately be taxed later, when you use the money, it'll help fund our country later, so it's ethical too.