Letter to the editor: Berg has much to fear from higher taxes on the wealthy

It was interesting to see Rep. Rick Berg’s reaction to President Barack Obama’s proposal to cut America’s debt. The president called for ending the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, which are set to expire in 2012. The president noted that “in the last decade, the average income of the bottom 90 percent of all working Americans actually declined. Meanwhile, the top 1 percent saw their income rise by an average of more than a quarter of a million dollars each. That’s who needs to pay less taxes?” Obama asked.

Well Berg came out firing, saying “the president’s budget do-over offers more of the same failed Washington policies that will lead to more uncertainty and debt, not the path to economic renewal that our country needs.”

However, beyond his partisan rhetoric, maybe Berg is so against doing away with the tax cuts because it will directly affect him. Let’s not forget that he is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and in the “top 1 percent” the president referred to.

“Do over”? Really? I would expect a more professional statement from our congressman.

Ellen Dunn

Fargo

Tags: opinion, letters, berg