The fight over taxes and the public debt is never far from the headlines lately, and Toby Keith has never been shy about speaking his mind on political matters, so it's only natural that he offered his thoughts about taxes when speaking with the Boston Herald.

What might be surprising -- at least for folks who consider Keith just another red state-residing good ol' boy -- is the way he responded to the question.

Asked whether he thought it was fair for the nation's most wealthy to pay higher taxes, Keith answered, "I expect the wealthy to write a check ’cause it’s as bad as it’s ever been."

He went on to add, "It would be unpatriotic not to try to save the country. I’m sure people will bitch about it, but if it means we get to operate in this country and live here another day, then so be it. One way or another, before it’s over they’re gonna have to come and take big money from the earners and big corporations to save the country."

What it comes down to for the 'Made in America' singer, more than anything else, is love of country and, ultimately, he believes others in his position will eventually see things the same way. As he put it, "I’m sure that everybody that has a patriotic cell in their system will say, ‘If it’s gotta be done, it’s gotta be done.’ I’d rather live here and not have as much money than live anywhere else and have twice as much."

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