Ponderings of a Scientist

ARGGGHHHHH!!! Will our legislative body ever take on a cause that matters to more than the lobbyists and rich of this country? I can not believe that the House is wasting my time and money discussing the Estate Tax, which the Republicans have slyly renamed the “Death Tax” (I’m so sick of political vernacular!!). Should we really be worried about how much in taxes the heir’s of the ultra-rich have to pay? Please, if you’re getting 5 million from Daddy I think you can afford a little tax, even a lot of tax. The republicans’ compromise bill, which the wussy democrats may agree to, would cause the Feds to loss 60 billion a year in tax revenue! Sixty billion; its not like we’re in a deficit of monumental proportions and need that money!!!! Stupid Stupid Stupid!

Also, if I hear that the “Death Tax” is immoral because it taxes the same money twice one more time I’m going to scream. You can’t tax dead people!! In reality it works like this: you taxed Dad’s money once when he earned it our through capital gains, then it became the kid’s money via inheritance and their new money gets taxed once! Sort of like all the other taxes out there! For example, my Dad’s income is taxed, then he is nice enough to give me money to help with a down payment on a house purchase (hint, hint), if that amount is larger than $10,000 or $15,000 (I’m not exactly sure and too irritated to look it up) it is considered a gift which I then pay taxes on. Mr and Mrs. House Representatives when are you going to repeal the gift tax law? Isn’t it immoral too?

Oh wait I have an idea, why don’t you worry about something useful like increasing the minimum wage or ending our invasion (not WAR) in Iraq!

This message brought to you because of a thoughtful conversation with my husband last night and a segment on NPR.