One of the theories on how to get the budget deficit in line is to place more tax burden on the wealthy. We asked seniors their thoughts on the matter. The following are highlights from those conversations.
Not even a little bit. I tell you what: I have worked awful darn hard my whole life to get where I am. I put myself through medical school and worked 80-hour weeks to build up my practice. I don't see why that idiot in the White House should be able to come along and just take it from me just like that. He has no right! He just wants to hand it over to the welfare class. Why don't they get up off the couch and work hard to get ahead? No, the wealthy are wealthy for a reason: because we work hard. It's our money, and we should be able to keep it.
Reggie, 73
Macon, Ga.
Yes. I think the wealthy can afford to pay a little more. We have a serious crisis here — as a country — and we all need to pay a little more if we're going to get the debt under control. Once you have your basic needs met, money doesn't make you any happier. We're lucky that we've had good fortune in our lives when it comes to money, so we don't begrudge paying higher rates. I think it's only fair.
Jack, 75
La Mesa, Calif.
Well, I don't know if we fall into the category of "wealthy" or not. I guess it depends on your perspective. We do very well, but we have a lot of expenses. We own several rental properties, and we have had to reduce the rents because of the downturn. Then, we had several tenants who moved out and left us high and dry for months. Although most people would call us rich — we live in a nice part of town, take a cruise every year — most of our money is tied up with investments. Higher taxes would definitely be a problem for us.
Glenda, 68
Somerset, Md.
Here's my take on the tax issue: I guess I agree most with the Tea Party folks. If Congress can get their spending under control, then I'm willing to listen to the argument for higher taxes. But they won't, will they? All they talk about is "Tax the rich!" so they can pay the interest on the debt so they can keep borrowing. They're like the brother-in-law who borrows your hard-earned money so he can go to the racetrack. They have proven — repeatedly — that they can't be trusted with taxpayers' money.
Eli, 78
Garland, Tex.
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