Obama couldn't govern himself out of a wet paper bag

[Magic Man]

I think you just succinctly described a "death tax".

Nope. He just described an inheritance or estate tax, since those are the things being taxed. Nice try, though, I guess.

 

[Revoltingest]

Nope. He just described an inheritance or estate tax, since those are the things being taxed.

Those are fine names too.
Payroll taxes don't tax a payroll; they tax wages, but the name is nevertheless appropriate.
We also know what a "sin tax" is, even though many of us don't even believe in "sin".
Out of curiosity, what would you call "affirmative action", if accuracy were the goal?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

My rhetoric can beat up your rhetoric.

 

[Revoltingest]

My rhetoric can beat up your rhetoric.

That pretty well sums up the argument.

 

[madhatter85]

Near as I can figure, about half of America's uber-rich have an exaggerated sense of privilege, little or no sense of social responsibility, and the morals of a sociopath. Other than that, they are fine people who deserve their wealth.

Sunstone, I seem to recall you blasting on about how our ideas are not based in studies or whatever. Now, where is your proof of these absurd arguments?

 

[madhatter85]

My rhetoric can beat up your rhetoric.

 

[Magic Man]

Those are fine names too. Payroll taxes don't tax a payroll; they tax wages, but the name is nevertheless appropriate.We also know what a "sin tax" is, even though many of us don't even believe in "sin". Out of curiosity, what would you call "affirmative action", if accuracy were the goal?

I don't care about payroll taxes. "Sin taxes" is in the same boat as "death tax". And I don't know what I'd call affirmative action, especially since it is irrelevant here. The fact is "death tax" is a horrible name designed to mislead people into opposing it.

 

[Revoltingest]

"Sin taxes" is in the same boat as "death tax".

Agreement?

And I don't know what I'd call affirmative action, especially since it is irrelevant here.

It's relevant because it points out how all sides give self-serving names. "Affirmative action", the darling
of lefties, might more accurately be called "corrective discrimination", but that would be too honest.
We're just stuck with whatever names stick.

 

[Magic Man]

Agreement?

It's relevant because it points out how all sides give self-serving names. "Affirmative action", the darling
of lefties, might more accurately be called "corrective discrimination", but that would be too honest.
We're just stuck with whatever names stick.

I don't think that makes it relevant. The question is not whether different groups perform the same behavior. The question is whether "death tax" is a good term to use.

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't think that makes it relevant.

Too inconvenient?

The question is not whether different groups perform the same behavior. The question is whether "death tax" is a good term to use.

Both questions look valid to me.
But you really object to addressing the larger theme of misleading names, you could ask Madhatter, since it's his thread.

 

[Magic Man]

Too inconvenient?


Both questions look valid to me.
But you really object to addressing the larger theme of misleading names, you could ask Madhatter, since it's his thread.

Look, someone used the term "death tax" on this thread. I corrected him on it because it's a bad, misleading term to use.

 

[Revoltingest]

Look, someone used the term "death tax" on this thread. I corrected him on it because it's a bad, misleading term to use.

"Bad" is merely your value judgment.

Here is something interesting....
http://www.infowars.com/iphone-snitch-network-launched/
The application is named "Patriot App".
I think "Snitch Net" is better.
Both put spin on it. Which is right?

 

[Magic Man]

"Bad" is merely your value judgment.

Yes, based on the fact that it's inaccurate and intended to paint the tax in a bad light.

 

[Sunstone]

Sunstone, I seem to recall you blasting on about how our ideas are not based in studies or whatever. Now, where is your proof of these absurd arguments?

Did you read my statement, MH? I'm pretty sure that "Near as I can figure" indicated to any sane person that I was offering my personal opinion, and not necessarily anything but my personal opinion. Got a problem with someone offering their personal opinion on this board?

 

[Sunstone]

Look, someone used the term "death tax" on this thread. I corrected him on it because it's a bad, misleading term to use.

If it were a real death tax, everyone who died would have to pay it. But only those with very large estates have to pay it. So, it's more accurate to call it an estate tax. However, I don't expect there will be a rush on the part of Right Wing pundits to call it by its most accurate designation.

 

[madhatter85]

Did you read my statement, MH? I'm pretty sure that "Near as I can figure" indicated to any sane person that I was offering my personal opinion, and not necessarily anything but my personal opinion. Got a problem with someone offering their personal opinion on this board?

so why the disdain for rich people there Sunstone? Jealousy? Do you just hate money?

Do you know half of the rich people in the U.S.?

How can you have an opinion of someone you don't even know or had any form of interaction with?

 

[Revoltingest]

If it were a real death tax, everyone who died would have to pay it.

That's a rather strict & arbitrary definition. But by your rationale, the estate tax
would require that every estate would have to pay it. This also isn't the case.

However, I don't expect there will be a rush on the part of Right Wing pundits to call it by its most accurate designation.

Methinks you're concerned with making taxes look benign, rather than in accuracy.
I'm OK with both terms, since everyone knows what is meant.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

That's a rather strict & arbitrary definition. But by your rationale, the estate tax would require that every estate would have to pay it. This also isn't the case.

How about "the wealthy estate tax"?

 

[Revoltingest]

How about "the wealthy estate tax"?

It looks accurate.....but no fun whatsoever!

 

[LuisDantas]

That is the whole point, to leave the middle class and become one of the upper class. The U.S.A. is one of the few places where that is even possible. Is it wrong to aspire to be a wealthy person?

Basically, yes, it is.

This is after all a world where way too many people suffer all kinds of indignities for a miriad of reasons derived from lack of money.

I don't know how you and others deal with it. Me, I have known way too many people from various social segments to really feel confortable with even the idea of being rich.

Not that I will ever have the chance, mind you. Odds are that I would cherish the thought more if it seemed attainable. I like to believe that I wouldn't, but who knows?

This is why the death tax is so wrong, what kind of world would it be without the Paris Hilton videos available on line?

"Death Tax" is indeed a very loaded and unfair name for inheritance taxes, as others have already said. People have no inate right to getting loads of money just because a rich relative died.