To the Editor:

I’ve seen conservatives attacking the President’s proposal to Congress about the 30 percent, across-the-board Buffet Rule. They say the tax increases won’t pay for the deficit. So what if it doesn’t? Tax breaks for the rich won’t either.
In a time when the rest of us are being asked to tighten our belts and take big loses in pay, in benefits, in public assistance and education, it is imperative that the people that have benefited the most also tighten their belts and take some losses. Anything less is criminal and no good for the morale of the country.
If this nation is going to rebound, it’s going to take more than finances. We need a spiritual awakening. We have to start feeling better about this nation and our government and as long as 99 percent of us are pulling our weight and the top 1 percent are cruising along not feeling any pain, there’s no way this nation is going to feel like it’s making any progress, because it isn’t.
The Warren Buffet Rule isn’t about money; it’s about raising the country's morale! It’s about giving us hope that an America of a fair chance still exists. Fighting over politics isn’t going to get us back on our feet. It’s what knocked us off our feet! United we stand, divided we fall! And any politician working to divide this nation over politics and money is working against us and deserves to be fired!

Chris Murray
Madison
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Printed in the April 19, 2012 edition.