4/13 Yay! The same Republicans that are saying "we don't have enough money
to pay for Social Security" just voted to abolish the estate tax,
which will cost one trillion dollars (including interest on debt)
over the next ten years.
\_ Explain the estate tax please...
\_ Currently estates over $1 million are taxed - I can't remember
the rate. This is a very old tax - it was first instituted by
that flaming liberal Howard Taft. The Democrats have proposed
raising the minimum value to something like $2.4 million, which
would exempt virtually all family farms and small family
businesses. The House still voted to kill the whole thing.
\_ William Buffett: Removing the tax would lead to the creation of
\_ Of course, there are *ALREADY* exemptions for family farms
and small businesses. The Republicans don't go out of
their way to state that. In fact, I don't think a SINGLE
family farm has had to be sold due to the estate tax. It's
just one more way to shift the tax burden from the haves
to the have-nots, and the future generation of have-nots.
\_ Well, you think wrong. Plenty of farms have been sold
for this reason. What do you define as a small family
farm, anyway?
\_ Warren Buffett: Removing the tax would lead to the creation of
an "aristocracy of wealth" instead of a meritocracy.
\_ What's wrong with that? The rich are more well educated and
have a much better idea than you prolitariats on how to create
a stable and sustainable economy. I support our corporations and
the wealthy financiers behind it.
\_ Mod +5 Funny!
\_ William Buffett? Is that the "Margaritaville" guy?
\_ oops, too many hits off the crack pipe
\_ No, he's the white Jay-Z. /obscure
\_ STARVE THE BEAST!1! The more interest payments the b3tt3r!
\_ why do you think 10 out 12 richest Congress critters are democrats,
as are many of the wealthy elite? You honestly think they pursue
a political agenda contrary to their personal financial interests?
\_ Since both Republican and Democratic congresspeople are rich,
obviously one side is pursuing a political agenda contrary to
their personal financial interests.
Hint: It's not the Republicans. -tom
\_ there is a difference between self-made entrepreneurs, of which
are many Repubs.
\_ Exactly. Heinz and Forbes were businessmen and only
their wussy offspring are suffering from guilt. More
seriously, what makes Tom think that the Democrats are
pursuing an agenda that does not benefit them? I never
figured him for that sort of sucker.
\_ What is your point? You think that keeping the estate
tax is better for the super-rich? -tom
\_ It might be. Where does the tax money go? It may
well go to special interests just as well. Do
you think the Democrats are trying to help
anyone other than themselves? Maybe they are
just trying to get re-elected, which in itself
benefits them. Don't think they are trying to
help poor slobs like us.
\_ oh no, an elected official might be doing
something because his constituency wants it,
not because it benefits him financially!
Someone call Tom Delay! -tom
\_ There are rewards for doing what your
constituency wants. Most politicians don't
have a constituency of poor homeless
people, btw. In the end, I'll be surprised
if a politician does something that both hurts
himself and ruins his career - except fuck
interns.
\_ There *should* be rewards for doing what
your constituency wants. -tom
\_ The problem is that the constituency
is dominated by large corporate donors,
powerful unions, and lobbies - special
interests.
\_ I don't think any of these groups
are advocating for the estate tax;
perhaps the unions. -tom
\_ No, but they might be
advocating against it. The
politicians are just listening
to their constituents, right?
\_ you know, when you change your
point in every single post,
it becomes really difficult
to understand what you're
saying. -tom
\_ If the Dems are arguing
against it, then that means
there is probably something
in it for them. Else,
why would they? It is
naive to think they are
doing something that
would 'hurt themselves' in
order to 'help you'.
\_ I don't care why they're
doing it; I care whether
it is a good idea or not.
Doing the "right" thing
for selfish reasons is
certainly better than
being a money-grubbing
asshole and giving huge
kickbacks to the rich.
-tom
\_ What makes it "right"?
\_ Me. -tom
\_ Um, okay.
\_ who determines
what *you*
think is
right?
Rush? -tom
\_ "dominated" only because money has
been defined as speech.
\_ Exactly.
\_ You agree with that definition?
\_ Sure. Money talks.
\_ Mmm.. cliches as
political philosophy.
When money is speech,
those with little have no
voice.. Do you think
that's in any way
in line with the spirit
of a democracy?
\_ Nope. And?
\_ the super rich do not pay the estate tax, and
incur an effective income tax rate of less
than 10%, if that.
\_ prove it. -tom |
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