Will Raising Taxes Grow the Economy?

I was listening to a radio show where the discussion was about whether raising taxes on the Rich would grow the Economy. After some discussion and debate I decided the host was correct that higher taxes would impede more investment into business expansion and growth. I simply asked myself what is the alternative? The alternative is to have the government confiscate the money but,not necessarily spend it wisely.The host reminded me that a former President said that the government knew how to use that money better than the citizens.  I was under the impression that getting capital was easy and  hassle free for a Billionaire but after reading Richard Branson's Autobiography"Losing My Virginity" I learned it is not quite that simple. The fact is that the businesses which provde a lot of the jobs are small and medium sized businesses. I would rather trust them to use their money to expand and build business than the government with their tax money.