Let's see where this goes: let's talk about a 100% Inheritance tax.

[eyepaddle]

I would just like to float this balloon and start the, uh, well...general discussion of this topic.

Could somebody fiond numbers as to how much wealth is transferred annually in the US via inheritance vs payroll? I seem to recall reading Michael Parenti and getting the impression that inheritance was greater than all wages and salaries combined, but I don't have the numbers handy. I think that would be a good place to start.

I'll also get the ball rolling and start to ponder how much more equal we would all be if we in fact started out equal. Let's REALLY level that ol' playing field. A possible corollary: what might the effects be on our political system if there were no more motivation to game the rules to favor your offspring at the (often ruinous) expense of everbody else's?

Finally, would this generate enough revenue to eliminate personal income and payroll taxes? Then we could get to actually keep all that we make--and none of what somebody else makes.


(DISCLAIMER: Yes this post is largely tongue in cheek, as I might as well wish the moon were made of delicious cheese--and that it could be delivered to my door, in manageable portions. I just want to seriously start thinking "outside the box.")