Phil Mickelson just gets me so mad at times. Just when I want to say "nice going, Phil" he disappoints again. This seems like it's common and, man, it infuriates me.

First of all, his play is erratic. He's had a great career, for sure, but how much better could it be?

Also, his pulling out at the Ryder Cup still sticks in my craw, I can't deny. With a chance to step on the throats of the European team, he begs out of play.

My new beef has nothing to do with his play but his lack of a spine in the tax "debate," if this is even a debate. I am not not rich, but unlike half of the country, I have no issues with the rich and applaud them if the riches are gained through hard work.

It seems that has been lost on many as the war against the wealthy carries on, sad that it is. It used to be that we looked up to the successful. Now half of the country looks down on them with anger, jealousy, and envy and want what they have but don't want to earn it. So, yes, I will defend the rich as I would defend anyone that is in the right.

Sadly, though, it seems Phil and many others won't defend themselves. Mickelson was nails on talking about his disgusting tax burden. Between all the taxes he pays it can be construed as robbery. A 62-63% tax rate? Are you kidding me?

Taxifornia, as many call it, will cave in on itself some day as they continue to soak the rich to give to the lazy, uneducated, disinterested, non-striving, no work ethic malcontents what they want. Taking 62 cents or 60 cents or whatever the exact figure is is, in my opinion, criminal. Not even the Mafia gets that kind of rate on its returns.

So Mickelson complains about his tax burden, gets hammered by those who think because he is rich somehow he has to foot the bill for thousands, then he backs off saying "taxes are a personal issue."  No, Phil, it is not a personal issue but a fight that has been going on for a long time and will continue to be battled.

Mickelson should have dug in and helped fight the fight against greed, the greed of a government that would dare take 60% of someone's wages like they committed a crime or did wrong when, in fact, they should be held up for applause not held down with derision. Mickelson should have explained his decision in depth. That decision seems to be he is leaving "Taxifornia" for a state that didn't soak the wealthy and make them "pay" for their success. A state like Texas or Florida that have no state income taxes.

But once again Phil, perhaps "protecting" his image and his advertising clients, bags out, apologizes, and looks like the fool. Mickelson, if he were going to open the Pandora's box, should have been prepared for the hate he would receive, the blow back that he would certainly get, and the anger that sadly now pervades this country and the opinion that somehow the wealthy like Phil are greedy, ungrateful  and selfish.

It's a pathetic mindset that says Phil should shut up, pay his exorbitant rates and be grateful for his wealth. No, Phil should get to enjoy his wealth, because he has earned his wealth by competing, putting in the time to get better, hard work and accomplishment, and winning. This winning has translated into more wealth via advertisers paying him to pitch their products. There is no shame in any of this but, sadly, we are in an upside down world now where right is wrong and wrong is right.

However, instead of making his case, Phil has bagged out and apologized. Perhaps his actions will speak louder than his words. We shall see what his next move is, if there is a next move.

However, Phil, you should never apologize for being successful. At one time that was cause for applause and admiration. Now it is cause for derision and hate.

According to some figures the "wealthy" already pay over 70% of the tax burden in this country and then are shouted down as needing "to pay their fair share" while 50% of the people pay no income taxes. Talking about ducking your "fair share."

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