I think there is a distinction between “the privlege of being American” (i.e. being a citizen) and “protected by the constitution” and “paying your taxes”
Even if you don’t pay your taxes, you are still a citizen.
Even if you are not a citizen, if you are on US Soil, you are, for the most part, protected by the constitution.
What would I do for the privilege of having US Citizenship? Not sure since I never really had to do anything nor lived anywhere else.
Do we pay taxes for the right of being American or do foreigners make great sacrifices for the right to pay taxes to the US gov ?
Sadly, it sounds as if Geitner is suggesting the latter – that paying taxes in the US is a privilege because we get to fund the best bailouts in the world.
I appreciate the irony pointed out by the OP of Geitner calling for high-net-worth individuals to pay more taxes.
I, personally, would make the deep sacrifice of paying less tax and suffering without the amazing government “services” that would go unfunded.
