One of the most heated debates in modern American politics centers on the budget. How much, and to which projects, money is spent is one thing. Where that money comes from is another. Running a country without resource limits would be easy. However, we know that this is not the case; most people are averse to giving their hard earned dollars away, especially when they feel it is being misappropriated.

“The rich must pay their fair share” has become a mantra among the general public, even among the “rich.” Many millionaires, (the super-wealthy, the 1%)have teamed together to encourage the government to tax them at a higher rate than they face now. How to collect revenue, especially from the rich, is certainly important, but for the sake of simplicity, let’s comb aside the economic hairs that often become split and muddle the debate.

“I see no problem in taxing people at the very high levels significantly more than they’re being taxed now, and I might very well cut taxes even further for the people at the lower levels,” said Warren Buffett in an interview. Buffett and his very wealthy, like-minded friends continue to express that they want to pay more to the government, citing that they pay much less based on a percentage than the middle class. Buffett reportedly paid just under $7,000,000 in federal taxes in 2010. That number seems huge, and it is, but was only 17.4% of his taxable income that year.

Most would agree that Buffett should be obliged to pay more to the government than this, Buffett & Co. included. But something is not right here. Do I agree that the rate reported above is too low for someone taking home as much money as the amounts of the individuals I mention? Yes. Do most others in the public, even those included in the top percentages, also agree that, given the current status of the tax code, their top marginal tax rate should be higher than those below them? Yes. Would these successful, rich people be where they are now, if they waited around for someone, let alone the government to tell them what to do? No.

It is hard to measure just how much these individuals have contributed, but through product and service development, philanthropy, even tax revenue, it is clear to see that their role in society is unparalleled and that their rewards are well deserved. They have changed many people’s lives for the better, and continue to do so. And I certainly believe them when they say that they would like to be taxed more, that they genuinely feel they should be giving more to the government.

So what’s stopping them? If they were to cut out the middleman and do what they have proposed, it would be an incredibly powerful statement. I suggest to them to write a check for what they would feel is an appropriate amount (above their current tax level) to the IRS in April, or even before. This would be a way to walk the walk, after having talked the talk, and put their money where their mouth is. I can’t imagine that the government would reject a “donation” of this sort.

Picture if this started a trend where individuals, especially those most fortunate, and even corporations, would voluntarily give money and other resources to the government, because they see a need, and have the means. I think we would be the better for it.

-Zach Weaver | weaver.zachary.d@gmail.com