Alan: My critique of the issues Noonan raises coincides with my critique of Charles Krauthammer's recent opinion piece, "Obama Unbound." http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/01/obama-unbound-charles-krauthammer-gets.html
By PEGGY NOONAN, DECLARATIONS, January 24, 2013 –
Obama is a formidable foe. He means to change the country and crush the GOP.
Two lessons on how conservatives and Republicans might approach the future, and a look at the meaning of Obama.
Lesson one: Golf star Phil Mickelson this week complained about taxes—”I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state”—and suggested he may leave California. Before anyone could jump down his throat, he abjectly apologized: He didn’t mean to hurt anyone, he shouldn’t have said it, taxes are a “personal” issue
Actually they’re pretty public. The American Revolution started as a tax revolt. It is not remarkable that a man might protest a 50% to 60% tax rate that means he has to work from January through July or August for the government, and only gets to keep for himself and his family what he earns from then through December.
Most fans would rather see Mr. Mickelson hit a ball with a stick than hear his economic analysis, and talking about tax burdens when you’re making up to $50 million a year sounds like . . . well, a pretty high-class problem.