Rep. Hultgren Suggests Begging, Not Requiring, Rich to Pay More Taxes

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Aug 20, 2011 8:00PM

At a town hall discussion in Sandwich, Ill., Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Winfield) suggested the federal government ask the rich to donate money to it instead of requiring them to pay more taxes.

Hultgren's words, via Think Progress:

HULTGREN: I’m not out there trying to coddle anybody. In fact, I support a bill that allows the super rich if they want to give more money to the federal government it could be a charitable contribution.
(audience laughs)
HULTGREN: I think that makes sense! Use it as a charitable contribution.

Hultgren held another town hall meeting in Geneva, Ill, on Thursday, where he was simultaneously booed and cheered by a standing-room-only crowd as he discussed the financial situation. “Our tax structure is broken,” Hultgren told the Daily Herald. “We've got a tax system that punishes productivity. It needs to be flatter. It needs to be fairer.”