This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Noted professional golfer Phil Mickelson is thinking about leaving the country due to a new increase in California and federal taxes on the top 1 percent of earners. This is a man who has won many major golf tournaments and has been awarded millions of dollars by a country that has treated him well, educated him very well, provided him with many opportunities, even cried with him when his wife was ill and showed him respect when he showed class in light of the failings of John Daly and Tiger Woods.
Mickelson worked hard and made a grand living and made us proud. He got many breaks along the way. Lots of folks work hard and don't get near the benefits he's received, and yet they stay and continue to toil because that's what America is all about.
Mickelson's taxes have gone up because he's been blessed. So if he turns his back on the country that gave him so much, I hope that the door doesn't hit him too hard on the way out.
Goodbye and good riddance to another arrogant ass who's lived the American dream and then refused to pay the bill when it came due.
J.C. Smith
Salt Lake City