Are you "fortunate" if you work hard?

[username]

This declaration by our president bothered me:

"The most fortunate among us can afford to pay a little more."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/04/...z1JS5CJgjX (Shut up, direct quote, he said it no matter who reported it.)

I don't think $250,000 a year is rich. It is a very nice living, but the more you make, the more you spend. Most people spend similar percentages of their incomes for housing, transportation, food and entertainment, etc. Why should people who make over $250,000 pay a much higher tax rate than someone who makes less? If you want to make more money, get more training and work harder. Why is it OK to punish people who do well?

Are the people who work harder the "fortunate" ones? I think the lazy fuckers who sit home all day and get fed like fucking pets are pretty damn "fortunate."

What do you think? I guess I am a Capitalist Pig, but I think hard work should be rewarded, not taxed.

The man is a socialist.

I don't want to pay more in taxes but I also don't think the answer is cutting education funding, foreign aid, research in to alternative energy resources or necessarily sticking it to seniors and the poor in Medicaid/Medicare. I have this scary vision of Mexico...kids living in squalor out on the streets offering to wash my car windows. In that regard, I understand the inclination to tax the "haves".

I don't mind dealing with S.S. (maybe raising the age limit) and some overhauls to medicaid/medicare. I also think we need to address the defense budget. And maybe look at immigration reform and stop bringing people in (or kicking those out) who are relying on our social welfare dollars!

I don't want to end the Bush tax breaks (or cut itemized deductions) but we need to look at the ²⁄_3^rds of the budget that is the biggest part of our expenditures. Defense, Medicare, Medicaid--and not try to balance the budget on the small portion that makes up difference (alternative energy, education spending etc).

I hate both plans being put forward.