Famous pro golfer Phil Mickelson has certainly shanked one into the bunker of controversy. He speculated that he might move from his native California due to the cumulative raises in federal, state, and local tax rates. For this, he was roundly denounced nationally, most notably and vituperatively by Syracuse University Professor Len Burman. Although his words were strictly hypothetical, Mickelson made a series of lengthy apologies for his words. Nevermind that most PGA Tour players, most notably Tiger Woods, already live in income tax-free Florida and Texas. Nevermind that Mickelson didn't actually move from California. But in my opinion, it was not the pressure from class warfare adherents that prompted these profuse apologies. It's likely that he was "leaned on" by the PGA, which in the post-Tiger Woods-scandal era is anxious to avoid anything that smacks of negative publicity. Phil...next time use your sand wedge to get out of trouble. ;D

(1) - California Governor E.G. (Jerry) Brown, who raised the state income taxes. (2) Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry, who threw gasoline on the firestorm by inviting Mickelson to relocate in Texas. At least Phil isn't leaving his country, unlike France's Sarkozy and Depardieu.