In Gore Vidal's "Selected Essays," he presents the notion that the middle-income American is essentially subjected to a tax system resembling that of a socialist society, regardless of their awareness of it. This observation suggests that the tax burden placed on this demographic is significant and indicates a redistribution of wealth that is characteristic of socialist principles. Vidal implies that middle-income earners may not fully grasp the implications of the taxation system that governs their financial reality.

This perspective raises questions about the economic structure in the United States and the impact it has on the average citizen. Vidal's assertion challenges the conventional view of American capitalism by highlighting how the middle class, often seen as the backbone of the economy, is treated in a manner that aligns more closely with socialist ideologies. This invites a deeper examination of tax policies, their intended purposes, and the broader economic narrative at play.