Being Rich Is Not a Crime in this Country

Published August 3, 2006

You opened your July 31 editorial [“For Rich, Tax Avoidance Gets Easier”] with, “If there is one tax cut that is precision-designed to benefit America’s richest families, it is slashing the estate tax.”

Since it is not a crime to be rich in this country, and since the rich have already paid taxes on their estates throughout their lifetimes, I suggest rephrasing your lead ever so slightly.

Perhaps you should try: “If there is one tax precision-designed to punish America’s most successful families simply for working hard, paying their taxes, and trying to leave something behind for their loved ones, it’s the estate tax.”

Sincerely,

Michael Van Winkle


Michael Van Winkle ([email protected]) is a research assistant for The Heartland Institute.