Jimmy Rollins Wants Barack Obama to Raise Taxes on the Rich

The Phillies shortstop thinks it's crazy that he and Warren Buffett don't pay more

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When President Obama rolls out his deficit-reduction plan today–including a proposal to raise taxes on millionaires–he can count on at least one supporter: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

In an interview in the October issue of Philadelphia magazine, Rollins says it’s time for rich people like him to start paying more. “Warren Buffet pays less taxes percentage-wise than his secretary, you catch that?” Rollins asks. “How can that be?”

“I’m blessed to pay a lot in taxes, ” Rollins says. “I have friends and relatives that go day-to-day. Every American deserves to feel secure at the end of their life. So if it’s going to lift two families up, go ‘head, tax me more, I can handle it. Best I know, everyone’s going to die. No one’s taking money to the afterlife.”

This isn’t Rollins’ first foray into politics. In 2008, he became one of the few pro athletes to publicly endorse a Presidential candidate, taping robo-calls on behalf of Barack Obama and introducing Joe Biden at a get-out-the-vote rally in South Philadelphia.

Read the full Philadelphia magazine story about Rollins here. The October issue hits newsstands later this week.