Geithner: Wealthy Should Bear a 'Larger Burden' for the 'Privilege of Being an American

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)