by Paul Jacob

Complain, complain, complain. It’s gotten so bad that a billionaire, Warren Buffett, bemoans that he doesn’t pay enough in taxes.

And former President Clinton, after rewriting his history on Iraq, complains, “I still resent that I was not asked or given the opportunity to support those soldiers.”

Clinton meant “by paying higher taxes.”

But taxes don’t have to be raised on everyone for Mr. Buffett or Mr. Clinton to make a contribution. It is perfectly legal to send the federal government more money than demanded in your tax bill. Really.

Make the check out to U.S. Treasury; mail it to Bureau of the Public Debt, Department G, P.O. Box 2188, Parkersburg, WV 26106.

If you want to pay higher taxes, you really can. Right now. No charge (so to speak).

So why doesn’t Buffett just send the government some extra dough? Does he really not know he can? He’s an awfully smart man. And Clinton must know that it is A-OK to give your government extra money.

Of course, the word “is” may have thrown him off a bit.

Meanwhile, Buffett and Clinton do give to various charities. Could it actually be that they think their dollars are better employed by private charities than spent by our diligent, conscientious servants in Washington?

Lots of Americans give to private charity, supporting people they believe to be doing good works. It feels good. No complaints.

Paul Jacob's "Common Sense" is published by the Sam Adams Alliance. Their website can be visited at www.samadamsalliance.org.