Absurd Opposition to the Death Tax

Wealthy members of U.S. society have succeeded in shifting the tax burden from themselves to the middle class by a careful choice of words. An estate tax is only paid when large estates are passed to heirs. However, in renaming it as the death tax, many poor and middle-class voters support its repeal. In the process, the government loses revenue that is typically offset by increases in other taxes and fees, the burden of which falls disproportionately on the middle-class and poor.

It is astounding how people vote against their current self-interest because of an illusory perceived future benefit.