Of course. But most large estates have some business ownership involved. My employer's estate got socked with over $10 million in estate taxes (part of your insignificant $20 billion dollars referenced earlier). Fortunately, we had anticipated his death after some asset sales and had the cash stashed, but just think what we could have done with that money instead of giving it to the government. We are an oil and gas company. We could have use that money for exploration or other capital investments instead of paying Ted Kennedy's liquor bill. This company will not be liquidated. I'm sure we are not the only example. Unfortunately, when his widow dies we have to repeat the process. That may be any day now.
part of your insignificant $20 billion dollars referenced earlierWe were talking about prices and $20 billion is insignificant in our economy.