Here's a decent comparison of McCain and Obama's Estate Tax proposals.

If you're opposed philosophically to an estate tax at all then you won't be happy with either because they both support continuing them.

Obama at the current 45% rate with a $7 million exemption (currently it is $3.5 million).

McCain at 15% with a $10 million exemption.

Those sounds hugely different to me but per the articles figures I didn't see a big difference in impact on small businesses. Small businesses are the bugaboo of estate taxes since heirs potentially have to sell or close the business to afford or avoid the taxes, creating economic collateral damage.

However, under either plan there would only be a couple hundred impacted business each year (and even under the current "horrible" situation it is less than 500 a year).

So, neither candidate agrees with you on principal in opposing any estate tax at all (and the article makes a good point about why abolishment altogether isn't necessarily a great thing for heirs either) and the individual impacts are hugely different and the revenue impacts are significantly different (McCain maybe saves another 50-100 business over Obama but loses the government about $40B in current revenue due to his significantly lower rate).

Changing topics for a moment:

Skinheads: Disproving white supremacy two idiots at a time

What a bunch of dumb asses.

Why would that automaticly be a bad thing? For example: If we could eliminate wastefull spending, and still keep up our readiness, why would it be bad to do so?

And the Republican White House has done such a superb job with that these last eight years... :rolleyes:

Well, there are reports that illegal immigration is down and some illegals have headed back to Mexico in search of jobs. Weird, eh? Since it's the horrid economy that is causing this change, I wonder if the Repubs will take credit?

What about a country full of people who, in supposedly legitimate media positions, lend credence to ridiculous rumors that Obama is a secret terrorist simply because of his middle name has lead you to believe that this country has progressed beyond racism?

I completely agree.

Whee! I voted this afternoon.

Of no real significance, but as I was standing in line waiting to vote, two young ladies, about college age, latina, cute, (none of which matters, just painting a picture) were behind me talking about their pending vote. They were clearly in Obama's camp, but I was amused about their reasons why:

- "He is SO good looking!"
- "And I love the way he sounds when he talks! I can't wait to have a president who looks good and who I love listening to!"
- "And he dresses nice. I am so excited!"

Whatever it takes. I'm happy they voted. :)