[stevestras]

“Both Buffett and Gates said that they should pay more in taxes. “The rich should bear a somewhat higher proportion than they are now,” Gates said.

I’m paying less than half of what I was paying years ago when I was making a lot less,” Buffett said. “There are people fighting in Iraq paying higher rates than mine.”

This irks me. Why don't these folks start a voluntary deficit reduction fund and contribute a billion, or two. Oh, that's right, their really trying to indoctrinate our young people, not solve the problem.

[right right]

only the stupid, lazy, and middle class pay taxes

[wideawake]

I was under the impression that soldiers in a forward area do not pay taxes.

[DainBramage]

Half the rate is not half the taxes.

[L98Fiero]

"Both Buffett and Gates said that they should pay more in taxes"

Go for it. I'm not stopping either of them and neither is anyone else. All talk and no action. Typical. But to say they pay "less tax" than foks in Iraq is just a disingenuous attempt to get taxes raised on the wealthy.

[2banana]

Any military personnel in a combat zone pay NO taxes...

[Lester Moore]

But if you ask for a slice you'll find they're giving none away...away....away....away

[AFreeBird]

Well these two can hire entire legal/tax firms to position themselves into a lower bracket. The avereage Joe cannot.

The current tax code (NOT tax rates) benefits the rich. The code needs to be simplified to the point where everyone pays and there's no need to have to have an entire firm of tax accountants to shelter your wealth.

[Capt. Tom]

We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes. --
Leona Helmsley

[frankjr]

"Why don't these folks start a voluntary deficit reduction fund and contribute a billion, or two"

That would be ok. I'd be happy if they just spent or invested their savings (which I am sure they do). That investing is what adds capital to the markets and allows the economy to grow...create jobs...increase earnings...and eventually bring in higher tax revenues (because of higher business/individual earnings, and not from higher rates). I'd rather have dork billionaires like Gates and Buffett invest the dollars than the U.S. government.

Yes, I do wish I was a dork billionaire.

[kipita]

The appearance of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett at the Lied Center last week was a reminder of the fluidity in American society that allows talent and drive — not birthright and connection — to earn power and wealth.

Very beautiful and it's simply what sets America apart from the world. Unfortunately, most Americans have never lived elsewhere and they don't have a clue just how beautiful that sentence is.

[whitedog57]

What a load of %$&*! Both Gates and Buffett do NOT have to opt for every allowable deduction. They don't have to deduct charitable donations, etc.

[andyk]

“The rich should bear a somewhat higher proportion than they are now,” Gates said.

Mr. Gates, how do you propose we tax wealth when our system of taxation is based on income?

[Doogle]

..the people who make the laws also pay less...it's really not hard to figure out, they are also responsible for spending it. Until there is a nation wide FLAT TAX...everybody pays,it will never change. It will always be a political football to be kicked around every election day...for,against, higher,lower,increase,cut....mean while
PORK PORK PORK,SPENT SPENT SPENT...and people like us argue over whether or not the tax rate is right. While we argue, they keep spending. It won't change,they control.

Doogle

[Grendel9]

They said they pay lower RATES on their income...not
lower taxes. Opener makes it sound like the kid in the military pays more than they do. The rest of us don't
give the huge amounts to charities that these guys do,
either. Their donations knock down their rate. The
reason Buffet and everyone else paid more taxes "years ago" is because the Dems wanted to tax everything possible to fatten their special programs. I'm no billionaire, but
I'm paying a lot less now, too. And I appreciate it!

[kingu]

Raise the taxes on the rich, raise the taxes on the rich, raise the taxes on the rich. Gosh it is good to see the MSM is still working this morning.

IIRC, the top 1% of earners pay 30% of the gross revenues for the IRS, the top 10% over fifty percent. Yes, Buffet and Gates are benefiting from the lack of capital gains taxes. Both likely donate more money each year than I'll make in my lifetime.

[x5452]

The appearance of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett at the Lied Center last week was a reminder of the fluidity in American society that allows talent and drive — not birthright and connection — to earn power and wealth.

WHAT?

http://www.skrause.org/computers/dos.shtml

http://www.links.net/daze/99/01/13/

http://www.jmusheneaux.com/39cc1.htm

There is not a better example of how cronnyism and high connections crush talent and drive.

[Normal4me]

You think these two don't have gaggles of lawyers and accountants seeking every loop hole in the tax codes? Hypocrits.

[Tribune7]

Both Buffett and Gates said that they should pay more in taxes. “The rich should bear a somewhat higher proportion than they are now,” Gates said.

Warren, Bill do you guys have accountants? Fire them. Fire the financial advisors. Move your loot out of the shelters and into a money market. Use the short form this April.

Problems solved you pair of phoney bastards.

And is the Lied Center the real name of the place or is the writer being ironic?

[One Proud Dad]

People like them employ several millions of people and drive a good percentage of the economy. As much as it disturbs me I had rather give them a tax break than have to ultra wealthy stop investing. If they did watch our economy tank or be taken over by off-shore investors and make us more dependent on foreigners than we are now.

[A. Pole]

I’m paying less than half of what I was paying years ago when I was making a lot less,” Buffett said. “There are people fighting in Iraq paying higher rates than mine.”

This irks me. Why don't these folks start a voluntary deficit reduction fund and contribute a billion, or two.

So you think that the fact "people fighting in Iraq [are] paying higher rates" is good, but when the billionaire complains about it is bad? And that those who do not approve it should make voluntary tax contribution but those who like it should keep the advantage?