Appearances Do Matter

Yes, it's galling when certain people -- perhaps you were referring to someone named Mitt Romney? -- benefit from paying taxes at far lower rates than their secretaries. But the problem of income inequality is not merely a problem of differential tax rates.

And for goodness' sake -- truly well-off? hard work? You're truly well-off by anyone's definition of the term. And hard work is the guys tearing up my roof right now. It's not flying by private jet to pick up a check for $200,000 to stand at a podium for an hour.

When I said that you did not suffer from the problem of being out of touch with the concerns of everyday Americans, I meant that you have a long, admirable history of working to improve the lives of the poor and middle class.

Romney landed in trouble with his snide comments about the 47 percent who pay no income taxes -- reinforcing concerns among voters that he did not care about them. You do not yet -- emphasis on the yet -- have that problem, but you could find yourself there.

Which gets me to the second set of issues: how you're continuing to vacuum up the money, and the aura of greediness it exudes. Madam Secretary, enough already. This behavior borders on compulsion, like refugees who once were starved and now hoard food. You're rich beyond your wildest imaginings! You don't need any more! Just. Stop. Speaking. For. Pay.

In the midst of a book tour (and with the ample cushion of a multimillion-dollar advance), you don't need to be hustling for another $200,000 or so from the United Fresh Produce Association and Food Marketing Institute. On the verge of a potential presidential bid, please feel free to say yes to the University of Nevada at Las Vegas if you want to speak there. But you don't have to hit its foundation up for a $225,000 fee, even one you plan to donate to the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Fix this now, or decide not to run. Then you can rake in the fees to your heart's content.

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Ruth Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.