Christie: Billionaire Warren Buffett Should Just 'Cut A Check And Shut Up'
FORT LEE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Fresh off unveiling a plan to lower New Jersey's income tax, Gov. Chris Christie let loose on billionaire Warren Buffet and his calls for higher taxes on the rich.
Buffett may be known as the "Wizard of Omaha," but Christie sees no magic in Buffett's call for tax hikes for the wealthy, reports CBS 2's Marcia Kramer.
"Cut a check and shut up, that's what I say, okay?" Christie said Wednesday. "I'm tired of hearing about it. He wants to pay more taxes, pay more."
And by the way, Christie, who held a lengthy town hall meeting in which he defended his call for lowering income taxes in New Jersey, doesn't care if the head of the Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate is offended.
"Believe me, I know I've given up my chance for post gubernatorial employment at Berkshire Hathaway, but I'm okay with that," Christie said.
The outspoken governor's latest verbal assault touched off another round of discussion about President Barack Obama's demand that the so-called rich -- families making $250,000 a year --pay higher taxes.
Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch said he pays more 30 percent a year in taxes.
"If you come from a corporation and get a W-2 form you pay 28-35 percent," Welch said. "I don't feel under taxed in any way at all."
Christie made a point of saying that while his tax proposals give everyone the same percentage cut, the rich will see a bigger dollar amount.
"The fact is that when you have as progressive a tax system as we have people who pay more are going to get more when you cut taxes. That's just the way it goes," the governor said.
Many voters favor the president's plan to tax the rich.
"I don't find a problem with it. If you make more money you should pay a little bit more in tax," said West New York resident Christine Auriemma.
"Anyone who makes a million dollars or more should pay higher taxes," added Mary Sideris of Fort Lee.
Given the ideological divide in Washington it's unlikely there will be any legislation on taxes at least until after the November elections.
In another tax development, President Obama on Wednesday proposed lowering the corporate tax rate while closing loopholes
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