What ‘rich’ pay

Thanks to Barry Saunders for perpetuating the myth that the wealthy (i.e., Phil Mickelson) aren’t paying their share of taxes in America (Jan. 24 column). Phil and the other so-called “rich” pay the overwhelming majority of all taxes on a percentage basis while many Americans pay essentially nothing. (Yes, I do know that everyone pays Social Security and Medicare.)

Further, Saunders seems to be of the opinion that anyone, particularly the high-income earners, should just sit back and let governments take whatever they feel they need and not complain. I contend that taking more than 50 percent of an individual’s earned income is immoral and that we should all be incensed by that level of taxation.

Bill Haley

Raleigh