Obama Makes Election Year Call for Higher Tax Rates

US President Barack Obama called Saturday for higher tax rates on wealthy Americans, saying the current system of tax breaks for top income earners was unfair.

He pointed out that under the current system people like billionaire investor Warren Buffett or Microsoft founder Bill Gates were paying a lower rate than their secretaries.

The comments came as Congress prepares to consider a proposal that would increase tax rates for people making more than $1 million a year while keeping them unchanged for those making under $250,000 a year.

Obama urged Americans to call their members of Congress and ask them to support the bill.