This should be an obvious truth:
ANY change at all to the tax structure is "redistributing the wealth". You just have to decide which direction it is being redistributed. When many people chip in to cover the tax burden of the rich, they call that "sound economic theory"; when the rich are asked to shoulder a larger portion of the taxes they call that "Robin Hood" and "moochers" looking for "free stuff."
Why do recipients appear less deserving when they have less to start with? How can the people who see things this way be OK with increasing the disparity?
Socialize the costs. Both sides do it. When Obama proposed a free 2 year college plan, that's socializing the costs. When Republicans propose that the US government build an oil pipeline to be used by private business, that too is socializing the costs.
A few more examples of cost socialization by Democrats: Health Care, Education, Retirement, National Weather Service, Veterans services, Personal Bankruptcy.
Typical cost socialization by Republicans: Fossil Fuel extraction & exploration, Cleanup of Industrial aftermath, Banking Derivatives Failures, Corporate Bankruptcy.
There is a glaring difference between the two parties. Republican cost socialization goes to benefit a few, while Democratic cost socialization goes toward benefitting the many.