Pro golfer, and San Diego resident, Phil Mickelson released an apologetic statement on Monday after he received a backlash from the public for saying he was thinking of possibly moving away from California or even retiring from golf because of federal and California state tax increases.
Mickelson felt he needed to clear up some of the comments he made after the Humana Challenge gold tournament at the La Quinta Country Club.
"Right now, I'm like many Americans who are trying to understand the new tax laws I've been learning a lot over the last few months and talking with people who are trying to help me make intelligent and informed decisions I certainly don't have a definitive plan at this time, but like everyone else I want to make decisions that are best for my future and my family. Finances and taxes are a personal matter and I should not have made my opinions on them public. I apologize to those I have upset or insulted and assure you I intend to not let it happened again."
Len Burman, coauthor of "Taxes in America: What Everyone Needs to Know" wrote that Mickelson needed to "stop whining and give thanks for being able to earn a fabulous living playing game and selling golf clubs (even after tax)."
But others, left online comments that were more supportive of Mickelson's frustration.
"We form government to protect our property, not to take over half of it. Telling someone that they should be thankful and not complain if government takes over half is losing sight of the function of government. Just because I need cholesterol to live doesn't mean I need to eat a Big Mac at every meal. Mickelson and other pay plenty to pay for necessities of government," wrote Geoff Robinson.
Mickelson stated on Sunday he planned "drastic changes" ahead, but he wasn't going to "jump the gun and do it right away."
"If you add up all the federal and you look at the disability and the unemployed, net and the Social Security and the state, my tax rate's 62, 63 percent," Mickelson said.
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