A major loophole in discussions like these is that the dynamics are ignored. Sure you won't solve the problems by taxing the rich in a short time line, it wouldn't make a dent. It will take just as long to solve the problems as it took to make them in the first place. National debts and widespread corruption didn't happen overnight. But you have to start somewhere. The system is broken and needs to be fixed. The opinion of prominent finance gurus doesn't mean much when you consider that they got us into this mess in the first place.
It has been said many times before that society and values as such have degenerated, and this is where the dynamics come in. It takes a long time for people to accept that violence and corruption is a fact of life, just like people living in a war zone come to accept that killing is a way of life. Most people have resigned themselves to the fact that things are only going to get worse, so why bother. It will take a long time to regain a sense of optimism. Unfortunately the democratic roundabout of politics means that any unpopular solutions are going to get voted out in the next election. The situation that Rharv mentioned concerning loans is happening globally. The average guy cannot help but suspect a systematic screwing of the public at large. At first glance it doesn't make sense strangling small business by withholding credit, after all the whole system is built on credit. Unless there is an ultimate motive. It may seem far fetched, but a strategy of global dominance is behind it. Don't laugh, it has happenend nationally on a smaller scale many times before. Also don't knock the Occupy or similar movements, just because they haven't got programmes fixed yet, they are but months old, whereas this systematic oppresion has been going on for hundreds of years. It is also no surprise that their disciples are to be found in all top levels of commerce and politics, and that they defiantly obstruct change at all levels, they have a lot to lose. In the age of information it has become easier to con people, but by the same token it could become easier to educate people. Educated masses are the enemy of the privileged classes, so wise up! and stand up and be counted! It's time to think small again and get back to basics.

Chris