The President’s Job Is To Tax the Wealthy, Not Subsidize Them

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Convincing the Rich to Pay Their Fair Share

In America, the president’s role is often romanticized as commander-in-chief, chief diplomat, or national cheerleader. But one of the most underrated—and perhaps most essential—responsibilities of any president is to convince the wealthy to pay taxes, and to persuade the broader public that government programs are worth supporting in the first place.

Taxes aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they’re a reflection of faith in governance. When government is efficient, transparent, and effective, it builds the moral and political capital necessary to ask for more—from citizens and corporations alike. The president, more than anyone else, is the face of that faith. Through competent leadership and functioning institutions, they provide the evidence that public dollars can actually work for the public good.

Selling The Concept Of Putting Tax Dollars To Work

Think of Franklin D. Roosevelt during the New Deal or Lyndon Johnson during the Great Society. These leaders didn’t just expand social programs—they sold the American people, including the wealthy, on why those programs mattered. Even Barack Obama, facing immense political backlash, became the face of the Affordable Care Act—“Obamacare”—and his persistence turned what began as a controversial idea into a lasting part of the American safety net. These leaders didn’t beg for taxes; they made a case for investment.

When the government works well—when roads are smooth, hospitals are funded, schools are functioning, and public safety nets are strong—it’s harder for the rich to argue that taxes are wasted. Efficient governance becomes the best campaign ad for taxation. It’s not just policy—it’s persuasion.

Inspiring Confidence

So, when people talk about “fiscal responsibility,” they often forget that it’s not only about cutting spending. It’s also about inspiring confidence that collective resources can achieve collective goals. The president’s true power lies in making Americans believe again that their government can deliver—and that paying taxes is part of how we all keep the system running.

In the end, a functioning government is the strongest argument for fair taxation. The president’s job isn’t just to sign bills or manage crises—it’s to be the living proof that taxes, when well spent, make life better for everyone.