So, I'm watching the news and hear that Warren Buffett, who has been saying for years that he's going to give all of his money away before he dies and not leave any to his children. has signed a letter with dozens of other gazillionaires that they should be required to pay more in taxes. Not just more, but up to ninety per cent of their annual income.
What a guy. The solution is so simple for all of them. Fire the roomsful of accountants and lawyers who have been finding tax loopholes for you for sixty years (yes, he's old) and write a check to the Federal government. If that's what you want, put your money where your big mouth is.
But you never do that, do you, Warren? You make public statements, like the above, but continue to donate your money to private charities. Why, otherwise, are you partnering with Bill Gates and others to target your donations? Because you know these are more efficient than government bureaucrats in distributing your money.
Why do you continue with your demands on others with money to pay more taxes rather than using the same choice you've personally adopted? Beats me.
It could be, of course, that you've succumbed to Snydley Whiplash version of rich people that both Republicans and Democrats have used in their constant harping on class warfare. You remember class warfare, don't you? People who provide jobs for people who need them becoming campaign whipping boys. The 'fat cats'.
If you're insecure about the money you've earned, and you are among the fattest of all the cats, by all means, do as you've been threatening for more than a decade: Give it all away. Then no one will be interested in anything you have to say. Your money is your power, not your intellect. Kind of makes it less appealing, doesn't it? If you want to give it to the government along with the other signers of your letter, write annual checks to the government, in effect tithing ninety percent to them. Then leave it all to the government when you die. Unless your lawyers have been very clever, indeed, the government will automatically snatch fifty per cent of it anyway before your body is cold. Something, however, tells me you've prepared for that contingency.
Leave the rest of us alone to give our money where we choose, as you have done, and perhaps even provide some security for our future generations.
My recommendation to you, Mr. Buffett, is to get over your guilt at being successful and stop playing into the politics of class warfare.
I understand that what you've been saying all these years is, see? I'm rich, but I'm one of the good guys.
In case you've missed the news, what with your being so busy writing letters and getting signatures, the wealthy pay a disproportionate amount of taxes with sixty per cent of the American people getting more from the government than they put in. The more they have to pay in taxes, the fewer jobs they'll be able to supply.
So, this is just one woman's opinion, but until you're willing to put your money where your mouth is, just do us all a favor and shut up.
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