Geithner: Wealthy Should Bear a ‘Larger Burden’ for the ‘Privilege of Being an American’
- Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:48pm by
Becket Adams
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File this under “unbearably ironic.”
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, speaking this morning on CNBC:
“That’s the kind of balance you need,” said Geithner. “Why is that the case? Because if you don’t try to generate more revenues through tax reform, if you don’t ask, you know, the most fortunate Americans to bear a slightly larger burden of the privilege of being an American, then you have to — the only way to achieve fiscal sustainability is through unacceptably deep cuts in benefits for middle class seniors, or unacceptably deep cuts in national security.”
How is this, as the introduction suggests, “ironic?” Well, some may recall back in 2009 when it was discovered that Geithner had some — how do you put it? — serious tax issues.
Perhaps he wasn’t interested in paying for the privilege of being an American.
(H/T: The Weekly Standard)
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Comments (274)
B-Neil
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:20pmI love these Progressive, Socualist, Communist, liberal ars holes. They want to make everything a privilege so they can control everything. Sorry Dumb arses, This born American is here by RIGHT of a Constitution and Bill of Rights. So Geithner can take his privilege and shove it up his ars. The only time I don’t like the Wealthy is when they get in bed with the Government. CARRY ON McDUFF p.s. any government di-k heads monitoring the Blaze can kiss my (?)
Report Post »keep456ty
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:17pmOnce again, this is coming from someone who admittedly didn’t pay his own taxes?!?!?!?!?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:20pmYES!
c
Report Post »HKS
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:26pmHe would be in the 50 percent that don’t pay anything at all, Everyone should pay something, pennies add up to you know.
Report Post »Wakeup Maggie
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:27pmSomebody needs to tell the five head that his scams, I mean schemes…aren’t working
No BO 2012
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:33pmWhy don’t ALL Americans have to “pay for the privilege”? Sounds like a new Demo-marxist tag line.
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:40pmIs it just me or does he remind anybody else as “Wally” from “Leave It To Beaver”?
They are both lying sleazebags!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:56pm.
Report Post »Somehow we have got to find away to turn Stupid into gold. Lil’ Timmy could pay off the national debt…….
@leftfighter
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:06pm@Wakeup Maggie
The five head, or the heads of the Five Families? Given the corruption of this Administration, I’m thinking the latter.
Just sayin’.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:20pmThere’s that word…“sustainability”. As soon as I hear a poltical hack (particularly laughing stock like Geithner) use that word I switch off.
Report Post »Seriously….when has Geithner been right about anything?
More so…name one Obama administration policy that has worked as advertised or even worked at all?
CatB
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:23pm@GORP …
Not Wally .. that was the Bev’s brother … Eddie Haskel was the sleeze
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:28pmWell guess what? The rich should have thought about these coming times before they danced with the devil – you know money based on production and numbers on their children.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:35pmHere check it out. If the Sorrows didn’t start for you in 1970, then you’re not the waters of Christ.
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:38pm@ CATB:
I stand corrected. But I have an excuse. I remember the show and watched it as a kid, so that means I‘m OLD and the brain isn’t firing as good as it used to.
That‘s my story and I’m sticking to it…
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:40pmPeople didn’t realize they were going through tribulation because of WW1, and WW2, and everything that shines, and the Tribulation was leading up to the Sorrows when spiritual chains were placed on the souls (numbers) of your children in 1970.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:42pmThey are going to eat every penny everyone has worked hard dancing with the devil to get.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:19pmThis is the worst and most GUTLESS philosophy I’ve ever seen. THE Beauty of AMERICA is that our POOR do NOT stay poor. OUR POOR can be our RICH in less than Two decades. NO OTHER COUNTRY CAN SAY THAT.
THESE weak, chicken s— btards are trying to build a 3rd world here so they can maintain control…..you dopes!!! Whatcha gonna have when you have ruined companies; illiterate people; decaying cities? You idiots.
Report Post »RabidPatriot
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:50pmSince the top earning 50% pay the entire bill to host this party we call America, maybe they should start charging a cover charge for all those party crashers that spend all night clogging the line for the open bar.
Report Post »Skan
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:58pmI thinks his not paying is taxes, “his FAIR SHARE”, warrants revoking his citizenship. And this applies all the other tax cheats we’ve discovered since this administration took over.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:14pmWhy should any American pay more taxes into a system full of fraud, waste, abuse and a federal government that is corrupt beyond calculation? I think it’s time to hit the reset button on Washington D.C. and then we can watch Timmy swing in the breeze by his scrawny pencil neck, that lousy SOB!!!!
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:26pm[Privilege of Being an American]
Oh, so if we make more we have to pay more to keep that privilege otherwise they might what, revoke our citizenship?
Fair Tax, please.
Report Post »Marci
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:32pmWow. So now you have to pay exhorbitant taxes to have the privelege of being an American—only if you are wealthy? While others pay nothing for the privelege. Socialism at its best (worst) and how predictable that someone who is in a powerful position, wealthy, and not held to account for his own tax debt should advocate it. I know The Blaze readers understand it, but for any Moonbats trolling the forum, wake up. This is what our leaders our going for—permanent power and entitlement to YOUR money to dole out as they see fit. When the money runs out, they will still be wealthy at our expense.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:42pmStfu Timmy!
Report Post »Unc68
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:50pmWow, I did not know I was required to pay for my citizenship. This puts the illegal alien issue in a whole new perspective and denies citizenship to all Americans not paying taxes. Come on the priviledge of being and American is Citizenship.
Report Post »Pigpen
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:00pmThis is LUNACY. The spin machine for these PUKES is unreal. Now, true, Geithner never worked for Goldman-Sachs (hard to believe given that virtually every other US Treasury and financial oversight official has worked for GS) BUT THE SPIN!!! To show WHY nobody in the USA trusts er, um, “liberals” anymore, I present the New York Magazine quote which even when it was trying to tell the TRUTH about Geithner ended up looking DISHONEST:
“In reality, Geithner, the former head of the New York Fed, has never worked for Goldman — has never had a job in banking, at all — but despite his repeated assertions to this effect, the rumor persists,…”
Did you read that? DID YOU READ THAT? The New York Rag, er, the New York Mag had the brass to write (in the same sentence no less) that Geithner was the HEAD of the New York FEDERAL RESERVE BANK but had never held a job in BANKING?
WTF?
Report Post »EndTheFedNOW
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 11:39pmThese people (the bankers) are the real threat to America. All Americans. These people have been ripping us off since 1933.
Its the Fed stupid.
Report Post »Oldtruth
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 12:58am@Gorp, you’re thinking of Eddie Haskell….
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 1:35amNOW… we know what to Charge the Illlegal Aliens for Citizenship!
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 7:04amWill someone please explain to me why anybody should pay more taxes into a system of fraud, waste, abuse and massive political corruption? Timmy, you need to swing in the breeze by that scrawny pencil neck of yours you lousy SOB!
Report Post »Cat
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 9:34am…
Report Post »Howz-a-bout this idea Timmy;
A national sales tax and NO PROGRESSIVE income tax
That way, EVERYONE pays to be here, you phuqing dope
turkey13
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 10:02amI never heard or read anywhere that Timmy paid his taxes and interest. I never heard if the other 6 zars paid theirs. I do know that at some time some Congress is going to have to tax everyone down to the $12,000.00 level if SS continues. This system was designed for everyone down to the poverty level to pay for them to get a check. The only way for Congress to bite the bullit is to have Term Limits. As long as we have carrer politicians it won’t happen or the voters would fire them. We have to many folks hooked on SS and SSI with Medicade to pick up their premiams.
Report Post »little big man
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 11:31amSince when is it a privilege to be an American when you are born in this country???????? It’s your birth right.
Report Post »If you are an immigrant and come to this country legally, and we let you in to become an American then it’s a privilege.
Or you could just run across the mexHEcan border like all the illegals do.
cyclops
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 12:12pmYou have a point there…..
Report Post »cindysplowboy
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 5:11pmWow that sounds like equality. What a freak.
Report Post »Freedom from liberals
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 7:29pmI thought I saw him in the Wizard of Oz. OHHH WEEEEEEEEEEE OHH.
Report Post »Grey Eagle
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 10:02pmI was just thinking the same thing. Big tax cheat telling us what to do.
Report Post »HumbleMan
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 5:53pmI don’t know about you, but I received my “privilege” to be American from God the creator, not from the government. Why should I pay the government for what God has given?
If I count all government costs, including state, federal, local, sales (and don’t forget tax on the gallon of gas), my taxes are over 50%, with no shelter from these wolves.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:07amwhy doesn’t the government just take everything the top 30 percent have. the rest of america would soon understand what is happening…. the money would be gone in less than six months and more debt would be required. people really have no idea how small the wealth is of the wealthiest in comparrison to the u.s. debt and deficit.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:17pmThis is a WTF moment.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »Kirby-man
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:55pmOh yeah, baby….you are all over it!!
Report Post »Madmilo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:16pmThe democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not… Thomas Jefferson
Report Post »Need I say more?
Lord_Frostwind
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:30pmI say the rich demonstrate just how much that “privilege of being an American” really matters to them, by moving their companies out of the nation. If it takes our welfare system collapsing in on itself to get the point across, so be it.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 6:31amHow about if Geitner starts by having the IRS collect what is owed by our congressmen and government employees? Don’t forget to collect interest and penalties (retroactive)like you do for the little people.
When you have accomplished that then we can talk about doing away with some of the loopholes or maybe a flat tax that would be fait to everyone.
This administratioins constant harping on raising the taxes only on the wealthy.
OMG
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:16pmIf we don’t raise taxes … we’ll have to cut teachers … police officers … fire fighters … and … the military … Chevy Volt anyone ?
Report Post »My Two Cents
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:15pmThere was a time when freedom from an oppresive government was a privilege of being an American.
Report Post »DanLex
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:48pmBravo!
Report Post »momsense
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:14pmHey Timmy Baby—– Arent the other 48%’ ers glad to be Americans too? What do they pay? How about some“ fairness ” here. Many of these people pay little or nothing but get huge payoffs because of tax credits paid for by yours truly and all the other Federal slaves–commonly called working people.
Report Post »PJL
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:14pmGeithner, should have to pay a 100% tax for making us Americans have to listen to his stupidity! What a jerk.
Report Post »Ella
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:13pmSpoken like a true communist!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:19pmHow about the people who pay NO INCOME TAX and get a huge refund !!! Earned income credit my a$$ .. that is welfare!
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:12pmBoy this guy is a peice of work.. has he even ever paid his back taxes, I looked on line and couldn’t find where he had.. hey Geithner how about getting Warren Buffet to pay his back taxes.. and all those Hollywood elites.. Oh and how about GE.. etc. What a freaking hypocrite.. I will be so glad to see you and your cohorts behind bars.. if not there then that place where it is hell fire and gnashing of teeth would be great! God help us!
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:12pmIs there no way to impeech this idoit……………we donot want other peoples earned money…….we donot want your food stamps..your greedy unions……your free homes or clown cars………..we donot want the government doing any of the above, period.
Report Post »happ77
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:15pmIt’s called election day.
Report Post »marion
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:11pmOnce again the Liberal/Progressive left does not make any sense in their argument.
Why do the rich need to pay more if they didnt’ steal their money?
Why are the middle class retirees the ones that would suffer otherwise?
Why is it those which pay less or none at all not have to pay their fair share, either?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:30pmSome not only don’t pay .. they get a REFUND … how does that make sense? It is welfare and keeps people from trying to work harder.
Report Post »Madmilo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:39pmOnce again the Liberal/Progressive left does not make any sense in their argument.
Why do the rich need to pay more if they didnt’ steal their money?
Why are the middle class retirees the ones that would suffer otherwise?
Why is it those which pay less or none at all not have to pay their fair share, either?
1. The government is stealing our money.
Report Post »2.The middle class retirees, the ones that would suffer otherwise. Worked for the government.
3. Most of the ones that pay little or no taxes also work for the government.
elosogrande
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:10pmHey Timmy – you dolt! Half of the population doesn’t pay any of the burden, they just live off of those dispicable rich white guys…some off whom don’t pay their taxes!
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:09pmMr Spock Jr. has spoken
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:19pmHe would be Spock’s retarded child, they one they would teach wrong on purpose, just so they could laugh at him.
Report Post »TerryDo
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:07pmHas Buffet and Geithner paid their past due taxes yet?
Report Post »What about the unions and the dues they collect from their forced members,are they paying taxes on that income?
They sure know how to spend that income on political support commercials in favor of Obama. And because these commercials favor Obama does that also mean they get a tax break against the income?
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:07pmI no longer think SOROS should enjoy the privilege of being “America,” though.
Report Post »kapu
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:06pmfunny, this coming from the man that can’t even figure out Turbo Tax……….wonder if he is going to feel really ‘privileged’ as well…………as well as the other ‘good’ people that are skirting the same ‘privilege.’
Report Post »whereareyourbrains
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:02pmDah…………lets keep telling these people the that rich will bail them out if they just give more. Lets keep telling them that they deserve the wealth people money. Lets keep telling them that we may have to cut social security…even thought they say that is what the GOP says…………..did this man pay his taxes yet? They are using racial demands on the rich…………I am poor………I don’t want their money……….I don’t want their hand out. I want to earn my own. Get rid of Obama as president and the companies will start hiring again………..really they will. As soon as he is un elected……..the economy with drasticly improve…….not a pretend improvement but a real one…………….
Report Post »rightbrain222
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:00pmHow about asking the 55% who pay nothing to contribute and provide “BALANCE”
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:19pmNow theres a idea.. those who are on entitlements could not recieve the tax amount in their welfare check and their foodstamps. Just think of the money this country could save every month! I was talking to a foodstamp recipient the other day she use to get about 150 a month for foodstamps, now she gets 300. And thats just for her and her son. Anybody else get a raise like that?? Of course not! No wonder people aren’t going off the entitlements. Sounds pretty darn good just to stay on them. Listen welfare should be a hand up not a permanent handout! It should be required that people keep looking for jobs while on welfare. And proof that they have!
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:27pmThey can’t contribute right now, they are busy waiting in line for $200. Nike shoes.
Report Post »STOPTHEPROGRESSIVES
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:47pm@abbygirl, things should be so simple but they’re not!
Ask yourself this. Where are these jobs you would have us hunting? Tell me!!!!!! I’ve been unemployed for way too long. I get interviews but still no job. I‘m 57 years old thats why I can’t land a job.
Things started down hill when my wife got sick, we thought we could weather the storm. We were wrong! Everything is gone but the house, soon it will be on the auction block too. It happened so fast our heads are still spinning.
So……… anyone in central Pa. willing to give an old man a job? I’d push a broom all night long if I can make enough money to pay my bills and get the meds my wife needs.
I don’t want a government handout. I’ll make my own way, given the chance.
I say vote out the lib/progs(both parties). Lower taxes across the board,limit the power of these greedy unions and get a handle on our debt then jobs might come back to the U.S. Not in time to help me…prob’ly but it might save your kids and mine from all the grief my wife and I have had to suffer.
It CAN go away very fast…………..Just think about that for little while, maybe you won’t be so judgmental next time.
Not all unemployed people are milking the system. Some could use a hand up not a handout!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:00pmGeithner, Obama, Warren Buffett, the Hollywood crowd, etc. all act as if they aren’t the wealthy people and keep saying the “wealthy need to pay their ‘fair share.’”
Report Post »I agree with Christie, just write the check and shut up!
NHwinter
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:56pmAnd maybe he and Buffet, along with all the federal employees that have paid their taxes, should start paying their fair share now or go to jail. Enough of the warfare on the rich. Time for the 47% that pay no taxes to work and pay their fair share!!
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:01pmcorrection – have not paid their taxes
Report Post »larry59
Posted on February 26, 2012 at 9:22pmThe people that collect welfare checks should have tax taken out just like anybody that has a job. Now that’s fairness and equality Timmyboy, better discuss that with your King. What do ya think Jr. ???
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:56pmI guess the privilege is free for the poor.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:03pmThis is what Marxism looks like.
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:33pmIncluding illegal immigrants.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:55pmMaybe if you and your kind had actually paid your taxes, maybe we wouldn’t be in the shape we are in right now… How about that, huh?
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:03pmYou beat me to it.
Timmy the tax cheat telling people to pony up.
http://www.libertymind.com/
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:24pmIsn’t that rich?? Hehehehehe!
Report Post »Arshloch
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:54pmDe moron done speak. Yup he be a tall-i-gent, must be ’bout 6′ 300″ tall
Report Post »dugbru
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:28pmThis is for TOM_SERVO.. he has reply bvlocked.. Tom here you go .. Isn’t it IRONIC that a tax cheat and hypocrit is telling you to do what he tried to avoid doing??? Ironic eh????
Report Post »TOMSERVO
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 5:40pmI don’t have anything blocked.
Report Post »TOMSERVO
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:52pmReady to publish? Perhaps brush up on the meaning of “irony” before you hit that publish button.
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:57pmAh, Yes, pay no attention to that other hand. Watch this one to entertain you. So, Whats your definition of “Irony”? I see it in the quotes from Tax Cheat Geithner. Did I miss something or did you?
Report Post »TOMSERVO
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:02pmBen Franklin, I believe you are referring to “hypocrisy,” which is most certainly on display here.
Report Post »