“The rich aren’t paying their fair share!” That’s the mantra you hear whenever a Democrat runs for office. You’d think that people employing such rhetoric would be sure to pony up their fair share, right? Especially if the people involved happened to be super-rich?

Not in the case of John Kerry or his wife Teresa.

Last year, Teresa—worth an estimated half-billion dollars—paid less than 15% of her income in taxes. Meanwhile, the non-Heinz Kerry paid just 23%.

Not that I’m complaining; I’m just a little envious. During my last full year of salaried employment, nearly 50% of my income was removed by various governments (federal, New York State and New York City) before it even hit my bank account.

Don’t take this as an argument in favor of higher taxes for anyone; instead, it’s a sign that we need a fairer tax system, one where the rate you pay doesn’t depend on the accountant you can afford. (A flat tax, anyone?)

But since real tax reform isn’t going to happen any time soon, I have a different request. If Kerry really has compassion for the common man, perhaps he can help this one figure out how to game the system like he and his wife do. I could use the break.

Next time you hear Kerry talk about soaking the rich, remember: he doesn’t mean himself or his wife. He probably means you.