[lit-ideas] question on death tax

[Eternitytime1@xxxxxxx]

The timing on the death or estate tax bill is fascinating.  Local  and 
national charities will lose at least $13 to $25 million dollars a year in  
estate 
planning ... and though it would be nice to think that these  millionaires will 
give it anyway to charity, since estate tax liability is  reduced through 
donations made both during life and at death. The fact is,  they give it to 
charity because their choice is to either give it to the  government or give it 
to 
charity. However, they can then just pass it  on...
 
Maybe it IS their money, though, and should be able to give it where they  
want to give it.
 
What do you think?  Why was it set up in the first place, I wonder.  I know 
many of the wealthy who abide by 'to whom much is given, much is  required' 
sorts of principles--but there has been a remarked decrease among  the 
wealthiest 
of giving to charities ... I cannot recall the speculation as  to why that 
is...
 
Wonder where the poor people in NO would have been had there not been  people 
on staff of the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the other national victim  and 
disaster relief organizations?   What taxes we do pay seem to be  lining the 
pockets of the wrong folk--folk who really are not involved in  developing or 
maintaining the social infrastructure or even the physical  infrastructure that 
exists to take care of the 'regular people'.  
 
Best,
Marlena in Missouri

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[lit-ideas] question on death tax