At some point in everyone’s life they’ve been asked the hypothetical question, “So what would you do if you didn’t have to work for a living?” And for most of my life, that question was nothing more than an interesting thought experiment. Just something nice to think about, but of course I’d never achieve anything like that. So it came as a surprise to me … Continue reading Why I Am A Patriotic Millionaire: Jeff Huggett
I am joining the Patriotic Millionaires for one big reason: sitting on the sidelines and watching is no longer an option – at least not for me. An increasing number of our fellow citizens feel disparaged by an economy and a politics that offers little or no security, that rewards the few and ignores the many, and that erodes our confidence in those who are … Continue reading Why I’m a Patriotic Millionaire: Andrew Ellis
I’m 53 and my wife and our two kids and I live in urban Denver. We are financially fortunate and thanks to two good incomes, decent investments, smart work and luck, we are what I call garden variety millionaires. My wife is an M.D. and I’m an MBA from a non-fancy non-top 25 school. I considered myself politically engaged and a proud and active member … Continue reading Why I’m a Patriotic Millionaire: Ron Guillot
I’ve always thought that the more you make, the more you should give back to your community. However, over the course of my life, I’ve realized that my beliefs were often at odds with the wealthy folks around me – folks who would take any opportunity to ignore their societal responsibility to give back to those that helped them earn their fortune, and instead exploit … Continue reading Why I’m A Patriotic Millionaire: Kristin Luck
As someone new to being wealthy, I’ve discovered it’s cheap to be rich in this country. Only in America can you make a fortune in Silicon Valley, yet safely send your children to public school, drive your own car, and travel without a bodyguard. The wealthiest Americans can claim depreciation on their private jets, own 2+ homes to claim residence in a no-income-tax state, and … Continue reading Why I’m A Patriotic Millionaire: Karen Edwards
FORTUNATE SON: I’ve been very fortunate throughout my life and it has led me to great success and prosperity. I joined the PATRIOTIC MILLIONAIRES because I believe that everyone should have the same chance I had to live a fortunate life. I was born and raised in California. And that good fortune allowed me to attend superior … Continue reading Why I’m a Patriotic Millionaire: Robert Burnett
I joined the Patriotic Millionaires because I believe that everyone deserves the same chance at success that I had. Starting and operating a business is among the greatest experiences of my life.
Some members of the Patriotic Millionaires inherited their wealth or accumulated it from highly paid employment or investments that did very well. I, on the other hand, earned much of my own wealth through my knowledge of the American tax system and the advantages it gives to wealthy investors. By using extremely favorable tax laws, I was able to postpone paying taxes on the profitable … Continue reading Why I Am A Patriotic Millionaire: Dr. Karen Seal Stewart
As an American, I believe ours should be a land of golden opportunity—golden opportunity that should be equally available and accessible to all Starting 70 years ago, I experienced American opportunity manifesting into reality in my own life. As descendants of a poor family that raced for land in the Oklahoma Land Rush, my family survived on $90/month and lived in a tiny apartment. In … Continue reading Why I Am A Patriotic Millionaire: John Michael Hemmer
I’m Patricia Martone, and I joined Patriotic Millionaires in 2016. For thirty years, I was a well-paid partner in some of the nations’ leading law firms, and I now run my own consulting law practice. I am also an investor and have benefitted from a strong stock market. I don’t feel guilty about my wealth. I worked hard as an attorney, and my firm’s employees … Continue reading Why I Am A Patriotic Millionaire: Patricia Martone
I spent most of my life avoiding politics, happily focusing on my family and my career…
I haven’t always been politically active. I spent most of my life working and helping raise my children, and I hated paying taxes just like most people. But two events in my life changed my attitude toward politics and taxes, and when I found Patriotic Millionaires I realized I had found a way to act on these new values.
I want to clarify when discussing these issues with any and all, conservatives or liberals: I love the communal values we generally hold dear as citizens and residents, including those espoused in the constitution. That is precisely why I advocate for all the things I advocate for.
I signed up, not to wear a new title – which is frankly a bit embarrassing for someone like me – but to add my voice to the vital movement of rescuing our democracy from the grip of money and bad economics.
There are great investments that our economy has to make, and it makes perfect sense to raise the top marginal rates on high-income earners in order to help make these investments.
We have to fix this mess we created. And even if we can’t really fix it, we have to at least try, don’t you think?
The public education system in this country, the infrastructure in this country, the civic institutions, make it possible for people with drive to achieve their dreams. I’ve been able to live my dreams. But I am worried that it may not remain that way much longer.
We know that taking money out of politics is the right thing to do. Together, we are able to make a compelling case. These are the values I grew up with.
I do not believe in ensuring equal outcomes, but I do believe in equalizing opportunity wherever possible. I have had a fair shot in life. I want to make sure that as many other people as possible do too. That is why I am a Patriotic Millionaire.
Unlike the previous Republican administrations’ “laissez faire” style of government, which had let Wall Street run free and crash the economy, this new activist government came down on the side of ordinary working people. It curbed monopolies, regulated the stock market, prescribed minimum wages and working conditions, banned child labor, and empowered unions.