Wow you should contact the CIA, since you obviously are a true clairvoyant I’m sure they could use your skills!
It’s hilarious you posted that huge indignant novel, yet you couldn’t be bothered to read any of my replies where I clearly and explicitly clarify that I am not “against the rich” or wish to “steal from the rich” or have you pay an insane tax ate. I never once said “Please let the super rich be taxed more!” I merely expect them to pay what the tax rate is and stop using illegal and nefarious means of hiding their assets, stop manipulating the free markets (anyone who disputes this point is utterly delusional), stop propping up failed leaders like Obama, and to generally behave as good citizens should. How is this being ‘selfish’ or ‘self-serving’? Please go take a Xanax and calm down.
I still think you are either stoopid or a clumsy communicator but look for my follow up and let’s see if that is what you meant.
I read your rant and here's mine:
Try this one on for size and read past the first couple sentences and paragraphs:
It’s like a bunch of rich guys running around acting altruistic and claiming the death tax should be reinstated or at higher levels.
What they don’t tell you is their holdings include companies who profit from estate planning, income shelter, etc.
If the government has no death tax it is a direct competition to the insurance companies, law firms, Wall Street, etc.
Without the death tax there is no need for their services and such stringent estate planning.
Here is an excellent video explaining Warren Buffet and Berkshire-Hathaway. Get a cup of coffee and watch it. You will see the scheme explained and then you will get it.
Also note what companies he has acquired, how and why:
Why This Superrich Guy Likes High Taxes
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8035391/
Warren Buffett Benefited From Death Tax
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15951
Wanna know why Buffet pushed for TARP bailout?
Suffice it to say Berkshire owned stock in some largest receipents of TARP valued at $13 billion around that time.
Here is the funny part:
Buffett increased his bank holdings in September, while he was arguing in the media that Congress should approve the bailout to prevent the collapse of the global financial system.
TARP was approved in October of that year, just one month later!
It’s good to be king!
He actually said “if he didn’t think the government was going to act(in a way that would positive and accretive to hihis holding) he wouldn’t have been doing anything that week”. (paraphrased)
For more read here:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2009/04/05/65496/buffett-champion-of-bailout-is.html
BofA in April 2009 was around $4 per share and is now trading at $13.80 per share as of 3/02/2001
Wells Fargo in April of 2009 was around $11 per share and is now trading at around $31 per share.
How about US Bancorp trading at around $14 per share in April 2009 and now trading at about $26 per share.
Goldman Sachs Group trading at some $51 dollars per share has now zoomed to above $160 per share.
How about those poor folks at American Express trading at just above $10 per share in 2009 and now they are trading at about $45 per share?
Bottom line: We, the schmuck taxpayer, paid to enhance the holdings of companies like Berkshire and investors in Berkshire.
BTW, Mr. holier than thou. It seems most of us were bothered by your post so if it’s going to take further and successive posts to clarify your thoughts you should think a little harder about your post.
Actually, skip all that.
I’ve decided to take redpoll’s position.
You have no idea as to the complexity of tax law. There are more than 16,000 pages of rules that define what is allowable and what is not.
Then you have the opinion of interpretation by each enforcer. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong. Sometimes they are fair and other times they go way the hell overboard.
Sometimes when you submit your forms you pray someone won’t grab your file and say “Let’s have a look see and send this guy a demand letter”.
People do all kinds of things when they think they have the power and the enforcers at IRS in general are pretty ruthless.
Not fair, ruthless.