Last week I watched a special edition of This Week called the The Giving Pledge. Christiane interviewed Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet, and Ted Turner. She focused on their philanthropy and charitable giving. The entire program was inspiring and I was impressed with these amazing individuals and their desire to improve the lives of people around the globe. Each one of them was asked if they believed the very wealthy should pay more taxes. They all responded that they should. Each of them realized that the circumstances they were born into helped make them who they were today. I was most impressed by Tom Steyer, a self-made billionaire whom when asked if he should pay higher taxes responded, "I think anyone who doesn't give credit to the system that they are born into is taking an awful lot onto themselves. I mean, I really think that people have sacrificed a lot more than a little tax money to make that system available for all of us. And I would be ashamed of myself if I didn't give some credit to them."
Right now the republicans in Congress are refusing to extend tax credits for the poor and middle class unless those tax credits go for everyone including millionaires on up. I'm ashamed of them. I think last week's show on giving should be required viewing for every member of Congress. If Warren Buffet's tax is about 16% (according to Buffet) and his employees' average 33%, there is something wrong with this picture. He made the point that through his lifetime the wealthy had been taxed closer to 45% and our economy didn't tank. It's about sacrifice and paying back into the system that made them wealthy. I'm not wealthy, but I recognize that taxes are there to help society function. It's how we pay for roads, the military, education, police protection, mail service, etc., etc., etc. everybody wants something but we aren't willing to work together to get it. Congress quit stonewalling and make the decision that is right. Work together and quit politicizing.
The Giving Pledge
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
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