I was sort of listening to the program last night, but as I recall, in the next sentence or three he indicated that his figure included payroll tax.
As for "writing a check", I believe Buffet might point out that no one person can, through individual expenditure, fix the problem. He's out to fix the system.
He's a competitive businessman. He doesn't mind -- would welcome -- contributing more to the financial well-being of our government and thereby country. However, he wants to do it on a level playing field.
Businesses and businesspeople piss and moan about expenses. But Buffet's message is the meat behind the whine: If the playing field is level, people will figure it out, and the smart and savvy players will still succeed -- because they are not tying one arm behind their back while giving their opponent a nine iron.
I'd say that's a big part of his point about the current revenue system for the federal government (and many states', I would guess). The small player is cuffed while the big player has sprouted extra arms (for grabbing).
I don't agree, or blindly accept, all that he has to say, and when you look behind some of his influence and advice, it certainly has played well into and payed out for his/Berkshire's own investments.
But the man has a point: You have to pay for the things you use -- and that includes the rich. And you don't exist, nor succeed, in a vacuum. So (whiny Mini-Me's), stop your caterwauling and fix the country. And "normal" people: Stop electing these idiots (or their tools).
[I realize this comment may have started to sound political. But we're discussing what Buffet means with his comments, and this is my take on that.]
As for "writing a check", I believe Buffet might point out that no one person can, through individual expenditure, fix the problem. He's out to fix the system.
He's a competitive businessman. He doesn't mind -- would welcome -- contributing more to the financial well-being of our government and thereby country. However, he wants to do it on a level playing field.
Businesses and businesspeople piss and moan about expenses. But Buffet's message is the meat behind the whine: If the playing field is level, people will figure it out, and the smart and savvy players will still succeed -- because they are not tying one arm behind their back while giving their opponent a nine iron.
I'd say that's a big part of his point about the current revenue system for the federal government (and many states', I would guess). The small player is cuffed while the big player has sprouted extra arms (for grabbing).
I don't agree, or blindly accept, all that he has to say, and when you look behind some of his influence and advice, it certainly has played well into and payed out for his/Berkshire's own investments.
But the man has a point: You have to pay for the things you use -- and that includes the rich. And you don't exist, nor succeed, in a vacuum. So (whiny Mini-Me's), stop your caterwauling and fix the country. And "normal" people: Stop electing these idiots (or their tools).
[I realize this comment may have started to sound political. But we're discussing what Buffet means with his comments, and this is my take on that.]