Mr. B, as with almost everybody, is known for using all the tax breaks allowed. His numbers are much bigger because he makes a lot of money, but his personal percentage is low because at his income level a lot of breaks are available that ordinary wage-earners aren't eligible for. His businesses are well-known for pushing every angle to keep their taxes down, as are most businesses. He's also been fairly aggressive about charitable contributions, which are a way to spread the spare cash around separately from taxes.

As for not reading the article and just knee-jerking, check out today's Mr. Roadshow in the Mercury News [www.mercurynews.com]. Rick-the-Cynic is a classic along the all-taxes-are-theft-or-wasted don't=bother-me-with-the-facts line.

Bottom line: pay the tax that's owed; it's how the stuff needed for society is funded. But it doesn't make sense for anybody, business or personal, to intentionally pay more than is owed.