Ho hum. The Republicans -- specifically House Republicans -- are trying once again to repeal the inheritance tax.
I've watched the discussion on this -- no one has yet pointed out the screaming hypocrisy of the Republican position...until now. Follow me under the Orange Squiggle of Profundity so I can point out why right-wing, Fox News Republicans have no other choice than to support a 100% Inheritance Tax.
A central tenet of Obama-bashing has always been that Obama (and by extension welfare-loving Democrats) rob poor people of their initiative by providing benefits through the social safety net -- food stamps, unemployment insurance, etc.
The idea here is that anyone who has a source of income that's "unearned" (yes, I know, you pay in taxes and get benefits) is robbed of his/her initiative. This person won't be forced to enter the competitive workforce and participate in the process of 'value creation' through personal enterprise. Damn lazy loafers in their hammocks eating filet mignon....
I'm sure you can tell where I'm going with this.
Right-wing politicians are VERY concerned that poor people be FORCED (and by forced, I mean starved) into the marketplace. Absolutely no exceptions should be made for circumstance (job loss, etc.), disability, or mental illness. Show no mercy -- that's what passes as a 'moral argument' for starving the poors.
Okay. Fair's fair.
The six Wal-Mart heirs inherited BILLIONS. These six people have 140 BILLION DOLLARS. Not one of them need ever work a day or contribute anything to society. They, like the poors, have no reason to enter the work place, reach inside of themselves, find out what they're made of, and contribute something to society that's meaningful and will result in appropriate financial reward. They can lay in a hammock and clip coupons all day.
Republicans -- I hear you. Let's get these loafers, these "Genetic Lottery Winning Slackers" off the "inheritance dole." The same moral case for denying poor people social benefits applies to those who have their motivation robbed through inherited money.
100% Inheritance Tax -- it's only right.