[parsifal]

I am glad your husband is normal, even though a businessman. Cherish him! He is somewhat rare. And yes, I have known many businessmen and their families. And I have friends in low places, too. But don't trust me. Read that DSMIV thing I posted above.

"but instead all my hard work should be rewarded by having every cent ROBBED from me once I'm in the grave..." Oooops. You are right. I screwed up in my reply. I meant to say 100% estate tax over a certain amount, not 100% period. That way you could still leave enough for your kids to be well off, without creating future hosts of Kennedy-like brats. Sorry. Does this revise your opinion of me any? parsy the meek.

[HamiltonJay]

I meant to say 100% estate tax over a certain amount, not 100% period. That way you could still leave enough for your kids to be well off, without creating future hosts of Kennedy-like brats. Sorry. Does this revise your opinion of me any? parsy the meek.

Have you actually looked at the super wealthy? Almost without question by the 3rd or 4th generation there true wealth is gone. Sure they may still live comfortably, but they do not grow wealth, create new wealth and usually desemate it.

The pattern is something like this:

• First Generation builds great wealth
• 2nd Generation, by being raised, trained and watching the 1st generation build the wealth, work hard and build even more wealth.
• 3rd generation having never seen or being exposed to never having wealth, do not appreciate nor understand their position and do not have drive or desire (generally) or ability to effectively build. (Not to mention the natural division of the overall wealth through the generations) SO it begins to decline.
• and this continues for many generations afterward, by 4th or 5th generation money is mostly if not completely gone.

Remember the Kennedy's are only in their 3rd generation since old Joe made his millions... and have pretty much lost most of their wealth. Same for the Vanderbuilt's, and Rockefeller's... sure they still have money, but their money and power is far reduced from its height, and none of the current generations will ever produce anywhere near the success of their predacessors.

Inheritance Taxes do not prevent spoiled brat wealthy offspring... Good parenting does.