[traditional1]

"Taxing the dead is indication enough, wouldn't you say?"

Absolutely beyond the pale. I think that's why the expression ends with "death and taxes", as opposed to "taxes and death".....in the first instance, even the taxes come AFTER death in the sentence!

[Enterprise]

That is why the death tax is so insidious and downright criminal. Let's say Mr. Jones has worked hard, paid all the taxes, and accumulated a total wealth valued at one million dollars. On May 9, all is well. On May 10, Mr. Jones dies, and the IRS rushes in to tax confiscate what Mr. Jones left behind. So what has changed? Did his earnings and wealth go up? NO - he DIED! What he left behind is deemed "income" by the IRS because it is left to his family. Grave robbing and blood sucking are the appropriate descriptors here. Taxation it ISN'T!