If all the people & corporations that make re-election contributions made payments to these funds instead of the re-election campaigns the deficit would be gone in no time.

Or if we had a government that didn't spend uncontrollably that might help too...thinking of a quote from Ronald Reagan, " Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other." You can't simply blame "the rich" and corporations for the deficit, certainly not 15 trillion dollars worth!

I can't believe this article. Mr. Hook wants to gulit me to pay more than my fair share of taxes to help get the state of Missouri back on track. I already pay my share of the tax burden due to the state. I also pick up the tap for Missourians that pay little or taxes into the system. They use the state welfare system as a way of life and not as crutch to get their lives back on track. The state of Missouri wastes millions of my hard earned tax dollars on programs that set the state up for financial ruin. I think Thomas Jefferson said it best "A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government".

I'm the editor of Creve Coeur Patch, and this item was published in our Local Voices section of citizen bloggers. Everyone is invited to use the platform to share their opinions, passion, interesting points of view. I just wanted to distinguish between this and "an article". Thanks for your comments

Sarcasm folks, it sound like this blogger is making light of the fact that government thinks people need to contribute more than what they already do; however, I may be wrong.

"Do you think the state and federal government are woefully underfunded? Are you plagued with guilt for not paying your fair share in taxes?"

I don't think anyone except Warren Buffett wants to or feels they should pay more taxes.

Thanks for commenting on Patch. It's great that this is getting a good dialogue going.

Guys, this is a tongue in cheek swipe at the millionaires and billionaires like Warren Buffett and Michael Moore and others who are whining that the government needs to raise taxes on "millionaires". The irony is that these folks complain their taxes are too low, but if they really felt that strongly about their convictions, they, and others similarly situated could act on their conscience, and follow the instructions provided to pay over and above their calculated tax due, but they don't pay extra and in cases like GE, pay no tax at all, hence the irony.

Thanks for all the comments.
And yes, it is indeed sarcasm.
But if you are feeling guilty, here's your chance to help. - BRH

Hahahahaha! Brilliant, Brian - loved it!

I can vouch for Brian Hook on this. I had an email exchange with him right after I read the article (before it was published) and said I couldn't wait to pay $1 more in taxes, and we'd have the federal debt paid off in no time now. He laughed and agreed. I don't think he really believes this is going to pay off $15 trillion.

From part of my email sent to Joe Scott before post was published:
"Make sure and mark your calendar.
You are playing a role in solving our state's and country's financial problems.
We're making history. Let the revolution begin."
Am I sarcastic? You be the judge. - BRH