Remember the Estate Tax? It's Still Gone

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Why did I bother to be frugal, industrious, disciplined, etc? Why did I teach my children to be the same? I worked hard not to be a burden to any person, government, or institution, and after being a widow for more than 25 years and succiding in rasing our children to be engineers all by myself, now more than ever the government is my problem. Why did I bother to save my money? I should've gone shopping squandering the money instead of saving it! I sure never intended to leave my money to the US Government! Why is the government cheating me and my children?

A. Davison of CO 6:40PM March 22, 2010

Why work - if you plan on taxing the wealthy..what is the incentive to earn...why should I take on massive debt loads to go to Med school, law school, or any other advanced degree. Why should i try to go out and start a business and expand through the fruits of my labours only to know much of it will be sold off fire sale upon my death as my family will not be able to afford the tax bill. This too disrupts no only the "wealthy" owner, but numerous families that who members work for the organization and lose their incomes. After all govt programs should be basic assistance not full blown support. Furthermore all those on unemployment obviously have some skill of some sort, why not put them to work as govt employees since they are already getting money to sit at home. The current tax policy is a joke, TAX the ever loving hell out of those dumb enough to chase after hard work and wealth, and reward laziness, and incompetence. Is this what America is about, how is that progress?? ..i think as Americans we should be encourage hard work not the opposite with these backwards tax schemes.

tickerwatcher.com of AL 9:46PM February 27, 2010

the fruits of constant obstruction in Congress might be coming home to those who hire (elect) the constant obstructionists. No, they didn't act. Do you suppose having the whole Congress in constipation over health care for a year might be the reason?

Muser of NM 12:13AM February 19, 2010

All you jealous people that think it's ok for the goverment to take 45% soon to be 55% of what someone has worked hard for,I hope it happens to you.The gov. taxes these families or companies sometimes farmers with land and not alot of money out of business.So lets see the gov. takes thier hard earned money closes thier shops puts people out of work because the gov can spend the money better,oh yeh that's working good,kinda like that hope and change crap.If the gov.keeps expanding itself,more gov. employees whose going to pay for it? They can only tax so much,pretty soon they run out of people to tax,no one will have enough money to buy the products we produce.What am I thinking ,no one will be working,we'll all be on the gov dole.What a bunch of idiots.The rich will leave,can't blame them either,I would,I bet you would too..

Randy of WI 8:58PM February 18, 2010

So because having a medium-size small business results in the beneficiaries needing to pay some taxes we should not tax the extremely wealthy? And why not tax those getting a million something? If they can not operate the business profitably, why not let them sell it and keep the leftover?
I will not cry for billionaires but do support having some order in our tax code.

Eriemaster of OH 3:12PM February 18, 2010

Overhearing a man recently speaking about his 1600 sq. ft. Home, he didn't mention estate taxes, yet he did say that electricity had been approximately 3x as much as usual.
I am not sure what to expect, if anything, my experiences are to be covering Mortgage, and while they are not my own, all the programs and grants that identify a source of HELP usually fall into an EXPLORATIVE CURIOSITY that I never really receive.
Otherwise, to resuscitate an advancement into a more comfortable living pattern and become the MANAGER or successful Mentor I would hope to be is as discerning as it is in the time I use to apply.

danton steele of FL 1:24PM February 16, 2010

The Estate Tax destroys small busineses. = Lost Jobs.

Rick Williams of CA 3:43AM February 16, 2010

President Obama signed the Buget on Friday 2/13/10. It is my understanding that a provision within the budget extended the 2009 estate tax provisions for two years. It may have been accomplished via a footnote to the Budget. Please confirm, deny or better yet explain. Thank you.

Richard Salamon of OK 6:11PM February 15, 2010

I think it should be moved to $5 Million per person, personally i would prefer no estate tax at all - if you earned your money and already have payed taxes on it - the govt ALREADY got their cut. If the taxes are paid and it is MY money - I would think I should get to say who gets it.

tickerwatcher.com of AL 5:55PM February 15, 2010

The estate tax is our country’s most progressive tax. A robust estate tax is essential to our government’s ability to finance important programs like education and infrastructure. The estate tax helps prevent the establishment of a virtual aristocracy, and embodies the democratic idea that wealth should be based on one’s own merit, not on being born to wealthy parents.
For these reasons, while it is good that the Senate is working to reinstate the estate tax our nation needs a stronger estate tax. I support a more substantial estate tax, such as that proposed by Rep. McDermott- see http://www.faireconomy.org/news/estate_tax_action_alert_12-7-09

etaxfan of MA 2:33PM February 15, 2010