This isn’t going to be a long drawn out post (because I have ceilings to paint), but I do need to make a brief comment on it.

There is a big bruhaha about a law professor and his wife who earn $455,o00 who blogged that he can’t afford a tax hike.  Here is a link to a copy of the original post.   I am not going to get into this guy’s finances, but I do feel like it is my job as a good, upper-middle class liberal to say something here.

We earn less than a quarter of this guy’s family right now because Mr. A is working for the government. I am guessing that guy’s lifestyle and ours are probably similar though.  We have school loans we will be paying forever and a day.  We want to live in a nice neighborhood and have a nice home.  We prioritize our childrens’ educations.  We choose to spend our money on these priorities.  We don’t feel rich, but we certainly aren’t living in poverty.

At less than 25% of that guy’s income, WE can afford more taxes.  We can afford them because we have room to make choices in our budget.  We are choosing to buy a house instead of rent it (and choosing to paint the ceilings!).  We choose to live in a school district that costs more.  We choose to pay down the school debt that was an investment in the relatively pleasant lifestyle we have right now, because we chose schooling that would lead to this.

I am happy to pay my taxes.  In fact, I would gladly pay more to help out those who don’t have the luxury of choosing how to spend their money.  If higher taxes means that more children are educated in competent schools,  I can cut back on some trips to Target.  If everyone has health care, I can take a less-fancy vacation.  If everyone has enough to eat, safe neighborhoods and the right to dignity in their old age, then I can eat out a few times less.

Cutting back on luxuries does not equal poverty.

I choose to believe our country (one of the richest in the world) can be better.  We can tighten our upper middle class (and SuperRich) belts a little for our neighbors and friends who are less fortunate.

I believe that a better educated population benefits all of us.  I believe none of us can feel secure until no one is homeless or hungry or living their old age in poverty.  The safety net is for everyone.  If one day Mr. A becomes disabled or loses a job or some other catastrophe happens to our family, I want to know there is a safety net there waiting for us too.  I want to know that being down on my luck doesn’t mean I have to lose my dignity and my humanity.

Let’s do unto others and share with our neighbors (and family and friends) and care for the least among us.  Paying more taxes is the least we can do.