[APXG]

crush,

with regards to buffett and the estate tax, i would also vehemently oppose a massive transfer of funds to the government. however, i oppose even more endowing children with more than a few million dollars upon death. the estate tax should be instituted in some way that simply encourages all ultra-high net worth people to donate 90%+ of their money to charity or some other tax-exempt cause -- exactly as buffett did himself.

even if there is a 100% estate tax, you don't necessarily have to give a penny to the govt if you believe they will misuse your money. just find someone who will build libraries, fund research, cure diseases, whatever you want, etc. in your name. many, many people have voluntarily done this, much more efficiently than any government ever could have -- we should encourage more to do the same, rather than promoting aristocracy and the construction of dynasties which eventually become populated with members who resemble nothing of the very traits that made its patriarch so great.