Linda McGibney: We who prospered should pay tax

[Reader Rabbit]

My mom told me about this interview. It's pretty freakin' awesome. It's something we should counter with whenever the wealthy whine about having to pay more taxes.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6902335n&tag=related;photovideo

Transcript of some of Ms. McGibney's remarks:

All I have to say is, Ben Stein is wrong.

I am an American. I am in the highest tax bracket. I also work in entertainment - which is what Mr. Stein does as well.

I am fine with the tax increase. I think it patriotic that I am taxed in this way. I want to help my country.

I believe the fact that I can have a job this year, and hopefully every year to come, is a privilege.

Link to transcript:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/26/sunday/commentaries/main6901949.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea

[Schema Thing]

1. I'm curious of the context, because believe it or not,

I've heard Ben Stein say "it would make sense to tax people in my tax bracket much more" (paraphrased).

[applegrove]

2. I feel that way too though I'm not often in a tax bracket to pay taxes. An ancestor

of mine, A.K. Maclean, was the person who introduced the Income Tax Act to Canada in 1917. I'm very proud of that.

[Journeyman]

3. A client of mine is one of the wealthiest people in California. . .

inherited wealth, yet they have expressed similar ideals on taxes the entire time I've known them -- stretching back to the early 1980s. They also give back to society; they fund a variety of different philanthropic and scientific institutes across the nation, and consistently support the Democratic Party and its candidates. I'll undoubtedly catch some flack for saying this -- I do everytime I mention it on DU -- but that's what I hear and know.

[Shanti Mama]

5. I've written similar stories before and lived to tell the tale

My godparents are some of the wealthiest Americans out there, of those who inherited their wealth. They don't own jets, flaunt their money, own 10 houses or anything like that. My godmother drives a many year old diesel VW rabbit (I think she still has it), does her own shopping and cooks her own food. They support many, many wonderful causes and expect their children -- all entrepreneurs creating jobs -- to do the same.

Not all wealthy people are bad people. I am always sad to see DUers generalize about any group.

[hendo]

4. Warren Buffet says the same. NT

[southmost]

6. that's patriotism in action

not just wrapped in a flag lip service

[Scuba]

7. I like paying taxes, and want to pay more...

...which would mean I'm making more!!!