What is wrong with a slave protesting to their "Massah"?

The current debate between Republicans and Democrats about federal spending has an analogue in our (American) past.

If a 19th Century Southern black slave had protested to their “Massah” that they were tired of being exploited and wanted a break, and “Massah” had replied that they are greedy and unreasonable, so shut up and work harder, many people would consider that to be an abominable response, worthy of moral indignation.

If modern day slaves, the American taxpayer, protest (via their duly elected representatives) to their “Massah”, the Federal Government Establishment, that they are tired of being exploited, and “Massah” tells them that they are greedy and unreasonable, so shut up and pay more, that is considered to be a perfectly acceptable political position.

Isn’t that a contradiction?