It’s time wealthy paid their way

The highly compensated Republicans are trying to convince you that raising the rate of the top tax bracket to where it was under Clinton would be “class warfare.” As a former highly-compensated airline captain, let me tell you what it’s really called. It’s called “paying your way.”

We live in a country where it’s possible to have a taxable income of a quarter, half, three-quarters or a million dollars, or more. If raising the tax rate of the top bracket is a burden, then you’re living beyond your means. And remember, the lower brackets were to stay at the reduced rates.

These are supposed to be the Republicans who are the “job creators.” We’re all getting a good look at how well that’s working. Makes one wonder if the tax savings went for European vacations instead.

I never complain about paying taxes, because I know there is no such thing as a free lunch and because taxes pay for fire and police protection, safe drinking water and well-maintained roads. And when I strapped into the cockpit, I knew I would be working with the best air traffic controllers in the world. This is the government Republicans say we can no longer afford.

Highly compensated Republicans whine about taxes and yet will make massive campaign contributions to Republicans who will sign Grover Norquist’s pledge to never raise taxes if elected. Anyone remember electing Grover Norquist? Faced with the meltdown of 2008, these Republicans were more concerned with their pledge to Norquist than fixing the problems we face.

These Norquist Republicans aren’t smart enough to represent me. It’s time to raise taxes on those who can afford it and put the Norquist Republicans out of work.

Tom L. Conley

Huntley