Vice President Joe Biden told a crowd Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that the top 1 percent of the country are not "carrying their weight" when it comes to paying taxes, BBC reported.
"Our goal should be a world where everyone's standard of living can rise together," Biden said in his final speech vice president.
"There's an urgency to taking common-sense steps like: increasing cognitive capabilities through access to education and job training; ensuring basic protections for workers; expanding access to capital; and implementing a progressive, equitable tax system where everyone pays their fair share.
"Compounding these economic worries are people's fears about the very real security risks we face."
In the wide-ranging speech, transcribed by Fortune here, Biden also touched on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his attempts at undermining Western democracies with the aim of the "collapse of the international order."
He said the U.S. must continue to stand with Ukraine "as they resist Russia's acts of aggression and pursue their European path."
Biden told the crowd he would continue to speak up as he re-enters private life.
"I will continue to use my voice and my power as a citizen-doing whatever I can to keep our transatlantic alliance strong and vibrant- because our common future depends upon it."
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