Phil Mickelson apologizes for tax comments ('I'm retiring 'cuz taxes are too hi!")

[bullwinkle428]

"Golf superstar Phil Mickelson is feeling remorse after threatening to make “drastic changes” in his life, perhaps even retiring from the game, in response to seeing his taxes go up.

According to Fox News, Mickelson apologized late Monday for possibly upsetting or insulting anyone with his talk about increased rates.

"Finances and taxes are a personal matter and I should not have made my opinions on them public," Mickelson said in a statement, according to Fox News.

Mickelson added that he doesn’t have “a definitive plan at this time” but is trying to make decisions that are best for him and his family."

http://aol.sportingnews.com/sport/story/2013-01-22/phil-mickelson-apology-taxes-retirement-california-1-percent-millionaire
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BWAH-HA-HA!! He was getting absolutely barbecued by the general public for this, and knew he had to do some big-time damage control ASAP!

[rurallib]

1. not many countries nor many eras when you can make the money

that Mickelson does playing a game. One of the big reasons is because of the set up of the country he is in.
And he doesn't want to help pay for it.

[lsewpershad]

42. Go already.

I will lose not lose anything by your abscence.

[Botany]

2. The man is making $30,000,000/yr in endorsements above and beyond his golf earnings ......

..... I think Phil's agent got some calls from his sponsors and he then called Phil
and Phil decided that he wants the gravy train to keep running.

[Blue_Tires]

50. His sponsors reminded him that 99% of people who buy their products

have to, you know, actually WORK FOR A LIVING and typically don't have positive reactions to sob stories on how to survive with hundreds of millions in the bank...

[Botany]

56. people think that if they pay $$$$ for his kind of sticks they will play like him

He gets the big bucks for wearing his sponsors' names and for doing commercials
and I have no doubt that his agent, lawyer, wife, and ...... told him to walk
back his comments.

BTW an extra 30 million @ a slightly higher rate is better then not getting that
money.

Right now Phil has money that is parked in some accounts that he will never need to touch
that will pay his grandkids college and house payments. He is #7 in all athletes for earnings
according to Forbes.

[indepat]

57. Disgusting. Phil has built his fortune during a time the tax code has been criminally generous to

the most affluent and large corporations at the expense of exploding the Federal debt and GOP demands for guting social security and Medicare. This shameful diatribe says volumes about his character and patriotism imo. We don't need icons who resent paying their reasonably fair share of taxes, but are a.o.k. with gutting social security and Medicare.

[CBGLuthier]

3. He did not blast the president, he dod not blame the government

He merely made an honest statement about his financial future which came out very badly. Mickelson is usually a fairly decent guy and lumping him in with the true elitist scum of this country is wrong.

[KatyMan]

4. excuse me,

but he made the remark that got him lumped in as the elitist that he is. Hindsight is 20/20

[Dawgs]

5. No he's not. If you've heard the stories I have you wouldn't be defending him. n/t

[UnrepentantLiberal]

11. What stories?

[bullwinkle428]

6. For a guy that's spent over 20 years building up this big image as a "man of the people",

his statement on Sunday was incredibly tone-deaf at best, given the fact that so many of those cheering him on each week have genuine concerns about paying essential bills from one week to the next.

[okwmember]

7. Maybe his tax accountant called

and told him what an asinine plan that would be.

[southernyankeebelle]

8. People who are in the public should stop and think before they say something. Lets face it

he said it and meant it. No amount of saying he is sorry is going to change the facts. I'm so sick and tire of people in the public eye think they can say what they want and then say their sorry and we are all suppose to forget about it.

[librabear]

9. This is the problem with making taxes "too high."

I know a lot of people on here laugh at the concept that people will quit working if taxes are too high, but I strongly believe that it will happen. The question is how many and at what point.

FWIW, it's not the people my age (30y/o) that I am talking about. My wife and I have a good income and are very comfortable. But if we quit working we have a mortgage and kids to feed. We're 32 years away from SSI and our retirement account wouldn't last very long at all. But take this guy for instance. I know nothing of him other than what I just read in this thread. He could probably pick a lifestyle that would match his assets and the income off them. If he wants he can quit working any time he desires. There's lots of people like him when you think about it.

People that are close to retirement. I know many folks that were laid off at work never took another job. I can think of three right off hand. They were all maybe 55 or older. One is now on disability, but the other two just quit working. They had no desire to find another job and didn't need to.

People where one makes a high income and the other is low. How many doctors do you know that married nurses? I have a couple in my family alone. The marginal rate for the second income will be well over 50%. That nurse will be contributing to the family hardly at all. So why bother?

Yeah, we're talking about people that make high incomes here. But the fact is that we all want them to contribute to society as long as possible because their taxes help. If they stop working you and I have to pay more to make up for it. Folks on here are claiming that nobody will quit working if we raise the maximum rate to 87% or whatever it was in the 50's again. Never mind the fact that FICA, SSI, State Taxes, Local taxes are in addition to that rate which brings the rate close to 100%. I think there are a LOT of people that don't NEED to be working when you really think about it. I know that on my budget I can sustain my family (excluding daycare and the mortgage) on about $35-40k.

[Scuba]

18. Anyone who turns down more money because their taxes will increase is either bad at math ....

... or just trying to make a political point.

I'd much rather pay a 70% rate on Phil's $30,000,000 than a 40% rate on $50,000.

Someone else will be glad to earn the money that Phil doesn't want.

[librabear]

20. You missed the point

Everybody retires, right?

Even people that make big incomes. At some point their income won't be enough to incentivise them to keep working. It's a fact of life for all of us. Maybe that number is $50k, $100k, $1m, $10m, etc. But at some point people will pack up their stuff and go home. This guy can spend the rest of his life snuffing crack with expensive hookers and not use up the rest of his money.

For most of us it would be something more subtle. Maybe you're a manager who makes $200k and is 50 y/o and you want to spend more time with your grandkids. You're tired of the stress of your job and decide that you don't need the take home pay so much. My MIL just retired teaching and is now working at a department store. She doesn't need the money either.

It's not just taxes I am talking about. Charlie Sheen did the same thing. He wasn't complaining about taxes though, he wanted the crack and hookers. The reason doesn't matter as much as the result.

My point is that we want these people to keep working and paying taxes.

[Scuba]

21. Then he didn't retire because his taxes went up, he retired because he didn't want to work.

If one wants to work and make money, and doesn't because his/her tax rate will go up, he/she is stupid.

[librabear]

29. Who wants to work?

I don't.

[Scuba]

38. Then admit it isn't higher taxes that's stopping you. That simple. See?

[librabear]

45. I freely admit that

I'm also not in a position where I don't have to work. I'm not the person I am speaking of.

I don't know why it's so hard for people to see that at at SOME point people will quit working if taxes are too high. I think we can all agree that 100% is too high and 0% is too low, right?

I'll freely admit that I think the 87% rate I see people throwing around on here will destroy our economy.

[shanti]

39. you'd be surprised!

lots of workaholics out there...

[Bake]

61. It's called PLAYING golf, not WORKING golf.

Let the wussie man retire. No big loss.

Bake

[librabear]

67. Haha!

Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head here!

[Bake]

75. People actually look forward to retiring from WORK so they can PLAY golf!

Just to drive the nail flush with the board ...



Bake

[jeff47]

28. No, actually we don't.

My point is that we want these people to keep working and paying taxes.

We'd actually be better off with these guys retiring and being replaced by multiple other people.

Think of it this way: There were a lot more jobs before Wal-Mart. Creating one mega-store means a lot of individual stores cease existing and the total number of people employed goes down.

Similar things happen on a smaller scale when the people you describe retire - they are replaced, usually by multiple people. Spreading that wealth means more jobs - each replacement is hiring a gardener, instead of one guy hiring a gardener.

[KansDem]

27. "I'd much rather pay a 70% rate on Phil's $30,000,000 than a 40% rate on $50,000."

I'm with you!

It's funny that some people don't understand this.

[Pryderi]

60. I guess he can keep 100% of nothing. n/t

[jeff47]

26. Um...what's the bad thing in your post?

If someone decides to stop working before they have satisfied demand, someone else will satisfy that demand.

But the fact is that we all want them to contribute to society as long as possible because their taxes help.

You know what helps more? Less unemployment. And their early retirements help that. While we won't get as much tax revenue from each individual, the total tax revenue will be about the same.

There really is no danger caused by the rich going Galt. The rest of us will easily take over what they were doing.

[librabear]

30. I agree to a point

Except when you consider small business owners. Many people don't want to own a business.

[jeff47]

34. They don't have to.

There are plenty of people who do want to own a small business that don't.

[librabear]

36. Not much of a reason not to own a small business

A few small businesses retiring won't open up much market share. If they don't own one it's because they either can't afford to or don't want to.

[jeff47]

40. I don't own one solely because of financial reasons

I need a regular paycheck, so I'm unable to start the small business I would like to start.

Back in the day, I could get financing for starting the new business to cover the time it took to set up that business. That's no longer possible, largely because there's not enough people seeking such financing.

But supply finds demand. With more people wanting such financing, someone will provide it. And if someone has cash but doesn't want to start a small business, they could provide such financing.

[librabear]

43. I'm the opposite

I run a small business. No interest in owning it. Too much liability and too much crap to deal with.

Owners want out too. I figure someday I'll be out of a job when it sells but that's OK. Then I'll be done travelling and spending too much time away from family.

[Kalidurga]

31. That isn't an actual problem.

If their is a demand for a high paid athlete or a nurse or whatever, someone will fill the demand.

[Zoeisright]

54. Fine. They can fucking leave.

They are bloodsuckers and are destroying this country.

Here's a clue for you, dear: we already ARE making up for their greed and the piss poor amount of taxes they pay. WE are paying higher tax rates than THEY are. Where have you been in the past 12 years that you don't know that??

God, what a fucking stupid post.

[librabear]

62. I know what the tax rates are.

Yeah, I'm not happy with them either. What's your point?

[Kingofalldems]

68. Sir, are you a republican?

[librabear]

69. No.

Currently disenfranchised with both parties.

[HangOnKids]

70. This Is Democratic Underground Not Disenfranchised Underground

And you appear to be swimming against the tide here. So your point?

[Kingofalldems]

77. Well if you check the TOS this site is for Democrats.

[librabear]

78. I know

If they don't Want me here they'll get rid of me.

The day partyline affiliation starts being about an idea rather than blindly following a bunch of idiots in Washington, I might find myself More willing to admit to it.

I guess I'm not sure what I expected here.

[Kingofalldems]

81. I love that story.

[librabear]

71. That's the problem though.

You call someone a republican, and they must automatically listen to Fox news and are against gay marriage. I do neither of those things by the way.

If someone is a democrat there's just as long as list of stereotypes about them. They're moochers, jealous of the rich, poor, dirty hippies, etc.

The fact is that it doesn't matter. If we can't get past the stupid politics and evaluate an idea based on it's own merit we're all at fault for the mess that our politics have become. Some of the folks on here are being very supportive of Carlos Miller, but when it was those two college kids doing exactly the same stuff at ACORN offices a few years ago everyone was pissed off. Same action: different response. I'm sure if you go to a republican forum they are sayign terrible things about carlos miller right now.

That's my point though. Most people aren't for or against ideas, they are against other people. They'll disagree with those people no matter what the other person is saying.

[Kingofalldems]

72. 'Jealous of the rich'--that's basically what you posted in #47

Look it up, you posted it.

[HangOnKids]

74. Zing! Nice Catch!

"Jealous of the rich" is a negative meme about Democrats (according to lb) and yet our friend uses it in several of his posts. Gee, who knew?

[librabear]

76. whatever

I wasn't calling anybody that or saying it was true. I was pointing out that it seems like nobody evaluates any ideas based on their own merits anymore. Identifying with a party just means you're just another sheep who can't think for themselves. Is being Democrat a principle or do you automatically agree with the party line? If it's a principle it means you disagree from time to time with the rest of them.

I can't remember - are democrats currently for or against the Patriot Act?

[treestar]

80. IF you have so much money that you can consider not working

His contributions to society can stop. We don't are. Someone else can do it and make some of the money. He doesn't have to have all of it.

[snooper2]

10. Who cares? Some random dude who plays golf?

As they have to note in the article because most obviously don't have a clue who he is LOL

[HappyMe]

13. There's that.

"Old rich dude complains about taxes....film at 11!"

[Pisces]

12. What is disgusting is that he has his money funneled into retirement pretax. The PGA has a great

plan that allows this to happen. He is pissed because he tried to buy the Padres and taking out 100 million today would cost him
a lot of money. His complaints are disgusting and he does need to back track and shut his mouth.

[SoCalDem]

14. Shame on every "man-boy" who becomes excessively rich and

turns into a vulgar, greedy person, when their money has been earned playing a game they love and would probably play for free.

These people, especially golfers have been pampered, clothed-for-free, paid obscenely well, and yet they complain when asked to pay their fair share.. on them all

[librabear]

15. What is their fair share?

Just curious. Nobody likes to define this.

[uncle ray]

37. no, you just don't like the answer given.

and neither does Phil Mickelson.

[HangOnKids]

41. Thank You!

[librabear]

47. I'm not in congress

Until I hear otherwise my fair share and everyone elses is what the IRS says I am obligated to pay. If people think this guy didn't pay his fair share already (last year) it's between them and their congressperson. The problem isn't the people, it's the tax code. I am getting pretty tired of demonizing people for being successful.

that was the whole point of this thread wasn't it?

[Zoeisright]

55. No it was not the fucking point.

And way to spread fucking right wing lies.

I don't give a flying fuck how successful someone is. What I care about is that they pay back into the system that MADE THEIR WEALTH POSSIBLE.

God, I am sick to death of this stupid point of view that everyone is "jealous" of the rich. You really need to learn something about this issue and grow up.

[librabear]

63. Way to deflect there.

As soon as the discussion turned from complaints about the tax code to a specific wealthy person who paid his taxes but didn't pay his "fair share" it turned into jealousy.

Here's a list of people who I don't think payed their fair share:

1. Martha Stewart: She may be a home and garden guru, but she’s also a convicted tax evader. Before doing jail time for insider trading, Stewart was forced to pay $220,000 in back taxes and penalties to the State of New York, learning the hard way that East Hampton mansions also generate taxes. Her claim that she hardly spent time there didn’t reduce her burden, or appease the state of New York.

2. Wesley Snipes: You know him as Blade, but the IRS knows him as a tax evader that used various means to hide a lofty income. Snipes was found guilty on three counts of failing to file a federal income tax return, owing the government $17 million in back taxes plus penalties and interest. His attempt to pay off a portion of what he owed during his trial to avoid the slammer, failed and in 2008, Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison. He began serving his sentence in December 2010.

3. Willie Nelson: After seizing most of his assets in 1990, the federal government forced Willie to pay over $16 million in back taxes and fines for his involvement with a bogus tax shelter, offering new meaning to the singer’s top-ten hit from 1975, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” Offering a note of redemption for the famous crooner, it was later discovered that Price Waterhouse had not paid Nelson’s taxes for years and invested the funds instead.

4. Nicolas Cage: Cage inspired humor in “Raising Arizona” and sobriety in “Leaving Las Vegas,” but only irony when the star of “National Treasure” contributed to the national debt to the tune of approximately $6 million, according to the IRS’ 2009 charge. Accusing his ex-manager and accountant of making poor investment choices in risky real estate and failing to pay his taxes, Cage set out to make good with the IRS, but still paid considerable fines on the taxes. Be careful whom you trust with tax advice.

5. Marc Anthony: He may be the husband of superstar Jennifer Lopez, but fame didn’t remove his obligation to pay taxes. In 2007, the IRS served Anthony with $2.5 million in back tax bills. Then in 2010, he received two additional bills totaling over $3 million for unpaid taxes on real estate. Marc Anthony blames management, but few empathize after the IRS claimed numerous years of zero tax payments.

6. Annie Leibovitz: It was December 8, 1980 when celeb portrait photographer Leibovitz captured John Lennon and Yoko Ono for the cover of Rolling Stone. Since then, her notoriety rocketed almost as fast as her spending. After years of extravagance and poor financial management, it seems paying taxes was just one expense she couldn’t afford. Picture this: in 2009 Leibovitz owed $2.1 million in unpaid taxes for 2004-2007 and was forced to pledge the copyright to every photograph she has ever taken, or ever will, to get the loan she needed to pay her debts.

7. Darryl Strawberry: Mets or Yankees? Strawberry led them both to World Series titles, but like Pete Rose, he stumbled when it came to claiming taxable income. Both can likely recite their stats for every season played, but neither was very good at recalling income from autograph and memorabilia shows. After years of signing away without paying taxes, both received tax evasion convictions. The lesson? If you earn money from it, so should Uncle Sam.

8. Boris Becker: Christened “Boom-Boom” thanks to an impressive serve, the 90s tennis star impressed men and women alike with his talent, but the German tax authority? Not so much. Claiming to be living in the tax haven of Monaco from 1991 to1993, Becker was actually at home in Munich with his wife and kids. When the final ball dropped, Becker paid approximately $3 million in back taxes and interest on earnings from prize money, endorsements and appearance fees.

9. “Survivor” Richard Hatch: He survived the first season of Survivor, winning $1 million. But when it came time to paying his taxes, he stayed on the island and voted CBS off, claiming the network agreed to pay his taxes. In 2006, Hatch was found guilty of tax evasion and served part of a six-year prison sentence as a result. Then in March 2011, he returned for his third prison term for failing to file amended returns. Celebrity tax lesson: Don’t “forget” to pay taxes on your income…especially before 51 million television viewers.

10. Heidi Fleiss: Known as the "Hollywood madam," Heidi Fleiss was sentenced in 1997 on tax evasion charges in connection with her high-profile prostitution ring. She served part of her seven-year sentence in prison and a halfway house. Her excuse? Apparently it’s a bit challenging to pay legal taxes on illegal earnings.

[HangOnKids]

66. This poster seems confused by various points in this thread

He/she appears to miss the point you made in another of your pithy and wonderful posts. Thank you for being in this thread Zoe!

[hughee99]

83. Holy shit! Mickelson doesn't pay taxes?

I suspect that he does pay taxes, and even if he retires he'd STILL have to pay taxes. In fact, if he didn't pay taxes, I suspect the tax rate wouldn't bother him at all.

[Hugabear]

73. You're pretty good at spewing right-wing talking points

I heard some right-wing radio nutjob asking that same question recently. Looks like you're doing a pretty good job of parroting the RW talking points.

Enjoy your stay here.

[wiggs]

16. This is a common meme in RW world...it's just in the air. It's a way they can claim empowerment

I've heard it a dozen times here in CA...mostly from very wealthy who 'know' people who are thinking of leaving, or who claim it's an obvious move to leave a high-tax state for Nevada or Texas. The thing is, a few do leave but a lot more stay or come here. There's a reason we are the 7th largest economy in the world....people want to live and work here. Living in Nevada is a whole different thing and when it comes down to it, they don't move (as nice as some parts of Nevada are).

I heard the same thing many times on RW radio (Geraldo) when talking about raising taxes on the rich by 4%. One fellow called in and said he had 100 employees, made between 250K and 350K himself and if his taxes went up he'd have to close his doors and put everyone out of work...just so he wouldn't have to pay 1,000 or 2,000 more in taxes. That meme is allowed to stand as legitimate, even though the reality is quite different...it's just a thing RWrs say. He wouldn't do it.

If it's worth it to Phil to live somewhere he doesn't want to in order to save some tax money...then that's his priority, but it's likely it's not true.

[librabear]

17. I saw that episode on youtube

Wasn't this a pizza store owner that was going to have to pay $2000 more in taxes per full time employee due to the ACA? That's actually $200k.

Chances are this guy will either divide his franchises into smaller companies to avoid the 50 employee penalty or make all the workers part time. He's not really leaving but he's not paying those taxes either.

[nachosgrande]

59. True

Guys at work and pretty much anyone/everyone at networking events won't shut up about it. They are all bemoaning the state of California and plotting their escape.

Having said that, there are serious concerns being voiced by corporate execs that they can't recruit elite talent at the executive level due to California's restrictive tax code and the overall intrusiveness of our state's regulatory policies. I'm not personally a critic of California, but we are talking about greedy sociopaths and they will definitely follow the money. When you have states like Texas/Nevada that essentially allow you to have a free ride, it will be tougher for California to compete in the future.

[wiggs]

85. That's not my point. The point is...they don't follow the money. They talk and whine and bluster

but at the end of the day they recognize that they and their employees want to live in California. Some go, most stay, some come here. That's why our economy is huge. It's not collapsing. People aren't leaving in droves.

It's ironic that those who talk about leaving for lower tax states are threatening to leave revenue GENERATING states (blue) for states that TAKE (red) more from the federal government.

[Helen Reddy]

19. Yes, the top golfers

are paid obscenely well. But....

Keep in mind, golf (like tennis) is an individual sport. The athlete has to PERFORM at high levels in order to receive a paycheck. Unlike a baseball or football player who can sit on his duff all season due to an injury or just plain underperforming will STILL get paid. A golfer is sick and can't play? No pay

For every millionaire golfer, there are thousands who work their tails off with little financial gain.

[OmahaBlueDog]

23. You can something like that about all pro sports.

Most NFL players don't last five years in the league. Many don't last the season after they are drafted.

MLB? How many guys never make it out of AA or AAA Minor League ball?

Lot's of would-be hockey players are in unpaid leagues. They hope to get a shot at the NHL, or a college scholarship to one of the schools with an NCAA hockey program.

[Helen Reddy]

46. Good points also. n/t

[UncleYoder]

24. Check out the endorsements part.

Good old Phil DOES make 30M sitting on his ass.

[Helen Reddy]

44. He didn't always

have the luxury of "sitting on his ass".

He has worked his butt off to be that desirable to business' who hire him to sell their products/services.

I do not fault him for making insane wicked good money. I fault his lack of good sense to complain about his tax rate.

[OmahaBlueDog]

22. I feel for him. Being wealthy is a bitch.

Make fun if you will, but when Phil's tax situation calls to mind the stirring words of Ann Romney -- "Stop it! This is hard!"

[Pryderi]

25. He's got Michelle Bachmann eyes. Ever see his Enbrel commercial? nt

[magical thyme]

32. by all means please do retire, Mr. Mickelson

Surely you've earned enough by now to take a well earned rest. If your services are needed, doubtless somebody else will be able and willing to rise to the task. If your services are not needed, then the money spent on them can go to a more useful purppose.

Seriously...get over yourself. We really don't care whether or not you decide to retire.

[joe1991]

33. Ungratefulness and greed

It's the I did all by myself" false mentality.

He grew up in a country full of freedom and huge benefits, but doesn't want to pay for the privilages.

Would he have made those millions being a good golfer in Ethiopia?

And now that he has more money than he could spend in several lifetimes, the lust and addction to money take over. He can only think of having more precious gold and trinkets.

[Lex]

35. However will he feed himself and provide shelter for himself due to high taxes!

Gimme a freakin' break.

Whine when you got real money problems, asshole.

[wilt the stilt]

48. figjam is his nickname- fuck I'm great just ask me

That is his name on tour. He is widely known to be a complete phony. There is an old joke about Phil.

"with Amy(his wife) The breasts are fake and the smile is real with Phil the breasts are real and the smile is fake"

also I read the article and he lumped in social security. He doesn't even know he pays on only the first $110,000. His real rate is 50%.

[Motown_Johnny]

49. Retiring from Golf is almost an oxymoron.

What is he going to do? Spend his free time working in a factory?

[DJ13]

52. LOL!

[smokey nj]

65. LOVE this!

Read it to Mr. smokey, he loves it too!

[Jackpine Radical]

51. I had no idea who he was before this shit hit the fan

and I still really don't care.

I have now devoted 3 minutes to being aware of him, which is a much larger share than he deserves of the limited amount of time remaining in my lifetime.

[Zoeisright]

53. Up yours, Phil.

If I have to hear one more whiny ass snot nosed white male millionaire whine about how they only get to keep $20 million a year it is going to be the end.

[Ganja Ninja]

58. It isn't bad enough that you make truck loads of money PLAYING GOLF!

Then you have the nerve to bitch about your taxes.

Some people should be beaten with a sock full of horseshit.

[Kingofalldems]

64. I suspect he gets huge write-offs for travel and expenses

[Initech]

79. Translation: No I'll keep my high paying golf job thanks.

Anyone find this eerily similar to when Angus T. Jones called "2 1/2 Men" "ungodly filth"? And then he immediately apologized to CBS?

[HangOnKids]

82. ^^^^^THIS^^^^^ n/t

[lumberjack_jeff]

84. The only logical response to assholes who make this argument is "good".

Everyone who walks away from a huge payday gives an opportunity to someone who is in a lower tax bracket.