President Obama’s spokesman faulted Republicans for not being “classy” today as he argued they are sending a bad message to “middle-class families.”
“Another real classy charge is the idea that, well, wealthy Americans who feel like paying their fair share, feel like paying taxes at a rate that middle-class Americans do — if they don’t, have the option of doing it themselves by writing a check,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said derisively today. “Think what that says to middle-class American families who are trying to get by, who are paying their taxes and paying at a rate higher than Warren Buffett,” he added.
Carney, referring to the idea that Buffett should pay more taxes voluntarily if he believes he’s not paying enough right now, characterized that position as an attempt to give the wealthy the “option” of paying their “fair share.”
“Well, we disagree,” he said, dismissing the idea.
