Taxes: Punishment or Patriotism?

I watched Ben Stein's commentary last week on CBS Sunday Morning about his belief that paying taxes was a punishment. The arrogance of Mr. Stein left me empty and sad.

This week on the same program, Linda McGibney, a Supervising Producer and Writer for the show "Stargate Universe" on the SyFy Channel, responded. I wanted to post it here in its entirety because her response left me feeling proud. It is how I feel about paying taxes....only I don't make a large salary.

BEN STEIN: "Maybe when the economy recovers, raising my taxes makes sense, but for now, it's just punishment, and I can't figure out what for."


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.


Mr. Stein, there are Americans who qualify for this tax increase under the proposed plan who don't feel "punished" by it. We feel it is our duty in hard times to help the rest of America.


And I am not talking about charity; this isn't charity. We both give to charity, of our own choosing. Mr. Stein probably gives more than me.


This is about being a grown-up and accepting the fact that we made money during the bogus up-tick in the economy. We prospered. So did others in our ranks. A LOT.
Can I say A LOT one more time?


Now, it's time to help the rest of America.


I don't care how many dogs and cats you adopt, how many people you give a paycheck to, or how many dollars you make.


If Ben Stein believes this tax increase is a punishment, then he is out of touch with the average person.


I suppose he thinks he's beyond sharing his good fortune with the rest of the Americans who are suffering financially. Or he just doesn't care about them.


Being an American is understanding you are lucky to be so. And you and I, Mr. Stein, are extremely lucky to be paid for a subjective asset: Our talent.


I have always understood that the "haves" were greedy. This is the first time I've heard one of them express it out loud so openly.


I am a "have." I am willing to pay this tax increase. I'm not going to whine about it. I won't feel punished. I will understand it's the cost of doing business.


It is worth sacrificing because our country needs some of us to sacrifice . . . the some of us who can.


And, Mr. Stein, we are not suffering.

It occurred to me that we collectively praise the patriotism of soldiers and their families who give what we say we consider the ultimate price for our country. I suppose we can do that with ease because it is someone else making that sacrifice. Yet, when we have an opportunity to make a sacrifice for our country, we scream, "Hell, no! We won't pay." Apparently, money is the ultimate sacrifice.