246 replies to this topic

[dukeman]

Phil apologizes for his tax comments. Of all the things Phil has done/said....bashing Tiger's equipment, complaining about the FedEx 10mm annuity, sticking up for square grooves, complaining about having to play 4 tournaments in a row for the FedEx....he chooses to apologize for this?

According to Morning Drive's Gary Williams, their twitter responses were 90% in favor of Phil. The other host, Damon Hack, attributes the response to Phil's popularity. How about attributing it to the fact that Phil might have a legitimate beef??!!  

Pro-tax and Pro big government celebrities make their opinions known all the time without criticism. Why should Phil be criticized?

[Joey76]

Who doesnt want to minimise their taxes....


If governments did a better job of spending it maybe we wouldnt mind paying it

[golfcarte]

the general public tends to think that professional athletes are (cough) overpaid. according to forbes, phil earned close to $50 million last year. so even at a 62-63% tax rate, he's still left with close to $20 million. if you would say phil earned $20 million last year, you would think that was a pretty good year.

two years ago, the two highest paid professional athletes, were, drumroll, golfers.

[Jimbud]

If things don't work out for Damon Hack at The Golf Channel NBC can move him over to MSNBC.  From his remarks on yesterdays show he would be a good fit at the cable home of Liberal thinking.

[Hattori Hanzo]

Joey76, on 22 January 2013 - 07:29 AM, said:

Who doesnt want to minimise their taxes....


If governments did a better job of spending it maybe we wouldnt mind paying it

The tax revenue from this new proposition is going to fund education in California.

[plus8]

Shouldn't this be in the 19th Hole forum?  It sure ain't about golf and it's gonna get noisy.

[golfcarte]

he hit me, he hit me!!!

[dukeman]

Jimbud, on 22 January 2013 - 07:32 AM, said:

If things don't work out for Damon Hack at The Golf Channel NBC can move him over to MSNBC.  From his remarks on yesterdays show he would be a good fit at the cable home of Liberal thinking.

Hack is appropriately named.

[Tmiller72]

Nobody is feeling bad for Phil, but nobody should have to give up 63% of their earnings.

[cardia10]

Anyone giving 63% of what they work for is absurd. It is sad that we penalize people who work hard and earn more, yet we glorify and reward laziness. I'm very happy to live in a state with no income tax. We do pay a little more sales tax, but it is nice knowing that everyone in the state pays this, not just the hard workers.

[kemau]

per golf.com

In a statement released by his spokesman T.R. Reinman, Mickelson said "Finances and taxes are a personal matter and I should not have made my opinions on them public. I apologize to those I have upset or insulted and assure you I intend to not let it happen agian."

[gsteitz]

Agree.  Thought this was a very out of character move and not an empathetic comment for the public right now.  Nice honest redirect Lefty.

[cohenfive]

where he chooses to live and for what reasons are a personal matter. phil is an outspoken guy, and in this instance he probably didn't win over many hearts or minds since he is worth $200mm or so. it doesn't change the fact that his family and his charitable organizations would be much better off if he lived in a lower tax state. there is nothing wrong with having that discussion or making that decision, but as he said it is a personal matter.

[Willie Malay]

And Its No One Else's Business Either!

[Jim Clark]

He was just being honest. The tax increases on him will be quite dramatic. Not sure what the CA income tax is but I'm sure it's high. Moving to FL would save him millions each year.

"Maybe" making his opinions public wasn't the best idea. But I wouldn't be surprised if he moved to FL.

[puttingmatt]

I know Phil's frustration !! Michigan is another
" Tax Abusive State " !!!!

[cohenfive]

top california income tax rate is 13.3%, highest in the country by far now. i will refrain from what i think of the policy.

[Onyx Z]

Oh man, don't even get me started on the government!

In Phil's case, regardless of the amount, it's the principle behind it. Thank God I live in Texas.

Edited by Onyx Z, 22 January 2013 - 09:33 AM.

[pingman1]

What I like about Phil is that he always speaks his mind, and I hope he continues to do so.

[tbowles411]

Willie Malay, on 22 January 2013 - 09:06 AM, said:

And Its No One Else's Business Either!

+1
Finances are touchy and very personal.  I agree with him, but he's right.  He never should have said anything.  But I bet you he still bolts from the state.

[dirtyboy]

California also has the highest sales tax.  7.5% plus up to 2.5% county sales tax.

No need to apologize for telling the truth.

[mikpga]

I for one would welcome Phil to be candid without any consequences...

Let's hear his point of view...

We have had it jammed down our ears/throats during the entire "political season", let's give someone who has a lot of cash state his opinion...

Can't stand the comments that suggest, Phil isn't being considerate to the rest of those in this country who are struggling from paycheck to paycheck...

Let the man speak, I bet he would make some very valid arguments...

[spitfisher]

Jim Clark, on 22 January 2013 - 09:17 AM, said:

He was just being honest. The tax increases on him will be quite dramatic. Not sure what the CA income tax is but I'm sure it's high. Moving to FL would save him millions each year.

"Maybe" making his opinions public wasn't the best idea. But I wouldn't be surprised if he moved to FL.

Nor the timing of it, Phil is friends with the Bush's which likely has him with republican leaning views, that's fine. I  think his statement was some how  on his mind privately and a question triggered this publically. He may have recently been informed  about how much the Prop 30 was likely going to cost him for 2013 - after all it is tax season. This of course is speculation. Once he let the cat out of the bag it was too late to retract. This by all accounts was not so much about money as it was about principle of increase of taxes vs the curtailing of spending and entitlements.
I encourage him to leave California, if that's what works for him, I wold much raher have someone speak their mind than toe the line of what should be considered appropriate, the timing was bad and venue.

[Sean2]

I don't quite understand. He apologized for stating what his opinion on taxes? Regardless, if he had not said anything, and he did move, people would have wanted to know why he moved and then what would he have said?

[mikpga]

Can't believe all the comments suggesting Phil needs to keep his thoughts to himself...

Modify your behavior Phil, modify your behavior...Shhh....Shhh....

I think you need to apologize to the public Phil...

Really?

[mjtoal]

The only 63% Phil Mick needs to worry about is trying to hit 63% of fairways.

[tbowles411]

Sean2, on 22 January 2013 - 09:38 AM, said:

I don't quite understand. He apologized for stating what his opinion on taxes? Regardless, if he had not said anything, and he did move, people would have wanted to know why he moved and then what would he have said?

Some people who don't have money are upset that he would be upset to pay over half his income in taxes.  I mean, why wouldn't they be upset?  He can afford it!  **tongue in cheek**

[highergr0und]

puttingmatt, on 22 January 2013 - 09:27 AM, said:

I know Phil's frustration !! Michigan is another
" Tax Abusive State " !!!!

How is michigan abusive?  High property taxes?  Not picking on you but curious.  I know their income, sales tax, and car taxes are below average for most states.

Anyways, I would hate to be in his spot where he can't say what he wants out of fear of alienating a fan base.  I'm glad when these guys actually speak out.

[Well Shafted]

Very interesting how he backtracked on this... It probably is a real topic being discussed at the Mickelson household right now, being tax season and all, and as someone stated earlier a question from the media probably struck a nerve, and he spoke his mind.

But I'm curious why he felt the need to apologize for this?!? Someone in his inner circle must not have liked it and advised him to apologize, regardless of the overwhelming public support he was receiving.

I just don't get it. What scares me the most is when someone like Phil - someone well versed and advised on the topic - speaks his mind in a respectful and civil way about something that is currently very relevant, is silenced for making a lot of sense.

In my opinion, we need more people like Phil speaking out on these issues. I don't think it's fair to make this his responsibility, however if he wants to speak out on these topics I, for one, am willing to listen and will gladly join the conversation.  I can relate to Phil and his family's tax concerns far more than I can relate to his talent on the golf course...

[ssfranny]

Jimbud, on 22 January 2013 - 07:32 AM, said:

If things don't work out for Damon Hack at The Golf Channel NBC can move him over to MSNBC.  From his remarks on yesterdays show he would be a good fit at the cable home of Liberal thinking.

Hes the non-caucasian correct?