The so-called “Patriotic Millionaires” who have called for higher taxes for themselves held a press conference on Capitol Hill yesterday. Michelle Fields of The Daily Caller took along her iPad to see just how committed these 1%ers were to forking over more dough to Uncle Sam.

She pulled up the Department of Treasury donation page and even preset the page so all they had to do was enter their information, credit card number, and hit submit. Come on. They want to give more of their own money to Uncle Sam, right? They can do that and start helping right now! Step up and be “patriotic”!

Except, when confronted with the donation page, they refused. They didn’t want to donate themselves but rather force others to bear higher tax rates. That doesn’t seem very “patriotic”. I mean, since we’re defining patriotism as willingly giving more money to Uncle Sam, why shouldn’t they start and see if others want to be “patriotic”, too? Patriotism is voluntary not forced.

Of course, the fact is these “patriotic” millionaires don’t actually want to bear the burden themselves. It’s not about their paying higher taxes. They’re not asking to be given the right to pay higher taxes and be “patriotic”. No, they’re calling for everyone else to be punished, too. They’re not volunteering themselves for higher taxes — they’re volunteering everyone else. They want to make “patriotism” involuntary and enforceable under the law.

How nice of them to volunteer others for higher taxes. But no thank you.