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Monday, January 21, 2013

Golfer Phil Mickelson Might Leave U.S. Because of Tax Hikes On Wealthy

UPDATE: 1/22/13-  Mickelson apologized for his tax talk. Someone must have gotten to him. Sad that we can't opine without fearing reprisals.

It looks like Pro golfer Phil Mickelson might pull a Gerard Depardieu. French actor Depardieu had said he would move to Belgium because of the mega tax hikes levied against the wealthy French, but then decided to move to Russia after they extended an invitation to move there.  He was even invited to join the Communist Party, and along with his brand spanking new Russian passport he gets a free apartment or a little plot of land. But Gerard already bought his land outside of Moscow and plans on building a wooden house there so he can fish.

Now Mickelson has said he might take a hike because of the impending tax hikes for the rich in this country.

“It’s been an interesting off-season. And I’m going to have to make some drastic changes. I’m not going to jump the gun and do it right away, but I will be making some drastic changes,” Mickelson said during a press conference following the Humana Challenge golf tournament in La Quinta, Calif.

When pressed by reporters about whether those “drastic changes” could include leaving California or even the United States, the four-time major championship winner didn’t foreclose the possibility. But he made clear the reason he is considering such drastic options is the massive tax burden he now shoulders. 

“But if you add up, if you add up all the federal and you look at the disability and the unemployment and the Social Security and the state, my tax rate’s 62, 63 percent. So I’ve got to make some decisions on what I’m going to do,” said Mickelson.
He does make bucket loads of money:

Mickelson has collected $73 million in career earnings according to Forbes magazine. His endorsements total $40 million per year.

If he does leave, he won't be the first rich person to escape higher taxes on the wealthy. Some have already moved out of the country and given up their U.S. passports. I'm sure there will be more to come.

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