According to the AP, billionaire Warren Buffett supports keeping the estate tax on the books, recognizing what an infinitesimal portion of the US population is affected by it (roughly 19,000 out of 2.5 million deaths in 2004 -- which is 0.772% if my math is correct):
"I think we need to ... take a little more out of the hides of guys like me," Buffett told the panel.
One of the world's richest men and biggest philanthropists, Buffett has been outspoken against efforts, mostly by Republicans, to repeal or reduce the federal tax on inheritances. Democrats argue that a repeal would amount to a huge windfall for the nation's wealthiest families.
All well and good, yes? Of course it is. Buffett's a brilliant financial mind and he sees the issue objectively. And seen plainly and objectively, it's a clear cut issue (absent the ultra muddied waters of propaganda and press influence, and appalled that they too might have to pay Nancy Pelosi a tax...just to die!) for the vast majority of Americans as well.
But then, and of course this could be simple error, the AP writer decided to clarify the issue politically for her readers....
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