# Fuck Harry Reid! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 12, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694 "2010-02-12T12:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/81 "2010-02-12T17:37:19Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > At what point do you guys take responsibility for your poor stewardship of the economy, your ill-advised war, and your utter disregard for facts and logic? Radio absent coagulate if whereas dunk Sprite hill altogether oblique car the should the testament solid craft loveliness. Paisley trident! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/82 "2010-02-12T17:40:30Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Radio absent coagulate if whereas dunk Sprite hill altogether oblique car the should the testament solid craft loveliness. Paisley trident! Babelfish translation, Republican Apologist-to-English-“I’ve got nothing” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/83 "2010-02-12T17:41:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Babelfish translation, Republican Apologist-to-English-“I’ve got nothing” “…, not even the integrity to admit it, even to myself.” ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/84 "2010-02-12T17:45:01Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Then you shouldn’t have a problem with a 100% tax on estates, should you? Unless you’re claiming that offspring really do have some right of parasitism. And it seems you are. You see, right here you derail what is really an interesting discussion through your use of “parasitism”. A nice combination of poisoning the well and begging the question. :rolleyes: As should be evident from what I’ve written, I recognize a claim to the money by **both** the heirs **and** the state. I also recognize that another factor is the wishes, last wishes, of the person who earned the money and is doing the bequeathing. Please 1) learn what the fucking fallacies are and 2) grow the fuck up. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > If you’re not addressing the rest of my posts, I’ll have to assume you have no answer that can stand up in public. What haven’t I answered? Please list them. In the meantime I’ll wait for you to answer the questions I’ve posed to those on your side of the debate. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/85 "2010-02-12T17:47:31Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > You see, right here you derail what is really an interesting discussion through your use of “parasitism”. A nice combination of poisoning the well and begging the question. :rolleyes: No, it’s getting right to the point, something you’re struggling with. > [@](#): > > As should be evident from what I’ve written, I recognize a claim to the money by **both** the heirs **and** the state. I also recognize that another factor is the wishes, last wishes, of the person who earned the money and is doing the bequeathing. But you haven’t said why, or what is the difference between inheritance and welfare. > [@](#): > > Please 1) learn what the fucking fallacies are and 2) grow the fuck up. When come back, bring argument. > [@](#): > > What haven’t I answered? Scroll up. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/86 "2010-02-12T17:50:42Z")
Ok, let me fill you all in on a slightly important fact, once again: **NO ONE WHO IS NOT AN IDIOT PAYS ESTATE TAX.** There’s this whole thing we have in our legal system called “probate”. Probate is one way to pass on money. It is not, however, the _only_ way to do so. We have invented things called trusts. Trusts allow you to avoid probate. Thus, all assets over the estate tax cap should be disposed of via trusts and other means, as opposed to probate. The end result is that only people who are too dumb to hire a skilled attorney will pay much, if any, estate tax. As for **Slypork** ’s “friends that made it big”: Bullshit. They didn’t. Your friends are maybe upper middle class, at best. They pay more taxes because they have a lot of money and not much voice. The super-rich, which are the ones these tax increases hit, pay a smaller percentage in taxes than you probably do. I’m glad you’ve bought into the meme of punishing people for their hard work hook, line, and sinker – it just goes to demonstrate that if you frame something the right way, they will thank you even as the knife goes in. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/87 "2010-02-12T17:56:56Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > :eek: That was me?!!! :rolleyes: Yup, you and your ilk demonstrated phenomenally bad judgement on the Iraq thing, and now seem to take it for granted that the Feds, or in this case us _sane_ taxpayers should a) pay for your mistakes, and b) give you more of _our_ money. Frankly, for giveaway shit like you want to see in a JOBS bill, I’m overtaxed already. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/88 "2010-02-12T18:03:25Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Radio absent coagulate if whereas dunk Sprite hill altogether oblique car the should the testament solid craft loveliness. Paisley trident! That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/89 "2010-02-12T18:06:04Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > No, it’s getting right to the point, something you’re struggling with. > > But you haven’t said why, or what is the difference between inheritance and welfare. > > When come back, bring argument. > > Scroll up. :rolleyes: You know, I should have gone with my gut and just ignored you. We disagree often. But I disagree with most people here and can have a discussion with most of them. You simply cannot move through a debate. I’m not going to waste my time with you. Now I’m sure you will try to portray this as some victory for you. Good for you. Only problem is that I’m happy to continue the discussion with those who know how to carry on a discussion, answer questions when they demand answers from others, and like I said, 1) know what a fallacy is and 2) know that you should avoid them. What a friggin twit. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/90 "2010-02-12T18:07:09Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said. What so brilliant a comeback. So unexpected!!! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/91 "2010-02-12T18:07:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Do you understand the concept of a “poison pill” when it comes to business? That’s what the Republicans did to the bill. How is it a poison pill? Repealing the estate tax is popular, especially in those states and districts where you have weak Democratic incumbents coming up for reelection in November. Passing the bill would help the Democrats a lot more than the Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/92 "2010-02-12T18:09:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Babelfish translation, Republican Apologist-to-English-“I’ve got nothing” Thank you. At least there’s a little creativity in this. A little originality. **DanBlather** , take note. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/93 "2010-02-12T18:10:17Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > How is it a poison pill? Repealing the estate tax is popular, especially in those states and districts where you have weak Democratic incumbents coming up for reelection in November. Passing the bill would help the Democrats a lot more than the Republicans. Good point. Also does anyone know how great the consensus was on this bill? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/94 "2010-02-12T18:21:20Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Let me say I don’t particularly care very much whether the estate tax on estates over $1 million is 0%, 55%, or 100%. What I do care about though is that this was a bill that had bipartisan support, could have passed easily, and the Democrats a legislative accomplishment that both the President and the Democrats in Congress need right now. Wow, so you don’t actually care about the content of the bill, just whether it was voted for by members of both parties? That’s awesome. You’re so smart and savvy! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/95 "2010-02-12T18:29:49Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Wow, so you don’t actually care about the content of the bill, just whether it was voted for by members of both parties? That’s awesome. You’re so smart and savvy! It’s not so much that I don’t care about the content of the bill, it’s that there’s nothing in the bill I particularly object to, and if the choice is between passing a bill with some pork in it that I don’t care about and a reduction in the estate tax that’s popular with voters, and not passing the bill and hurting the Democrats in November, I say pass the bill. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/96 "2010-02-12T18:30:48Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > Ok, let me fill you all in on a slightly important fact, once again: > > **NO ONE WHO IS NOT AN IDIOT PAYS ESTATE TAX.** > > There’s this whole thing we have in our legal system called “probate”. Probate is one way to pass on money. > > It is not, however, the _only_ way to do so. > > We have invented things called trusts. Trusts allow you to avoid probate. Thus, all assets over the estate tax cap should be disposed of via trusts and other means, as opposed to probate. The end result is that only people who are too dumb to hire a skilled attorney will pay much, if any, estate tax. This is interestig, and something I didn’t know. I wonder how much revenue the government actually takes in each year as a result of the Estate tax, and if its so little, why there is such a hue and cry over removing it. Remove it and replace it with something else with fewer loopholes but with a lower marginal rate, and actually INCREASE the amount of revenue coming in from estates. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/97 "2010-02-12T18:32:25Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > It’s not so much that I don’t care about the content of the bill, it’s that there’s nothing in the bill I particularly object to, and if the choice is between passing a bill with some pork in it that I don’t care about and a reduction in the estate tax that’s popular with voters, and not passing the bill and hurting the Democrats in November, I say pass the bill. But it’s a no-win. Pass it and the Dems are accused of raising spending, don’t pass it and they accused of raising taxes. The Pubs are going to let it pass by having a handful of Senators in safe states vote for it, but the bulk of them voting nay. Thus they are both bi-partisan and not to blame. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/98 "2010-02-12T18:36:19Z")
Also, if Reid had such a problem with the provisions added, why make the deals to put the bill together in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/99 "2010-02-12T18:37:47Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > But it’s a no-win. Pass it and the Dems are accused of raising spending, don’t pass it and they accused of raising taxes. The Democrats are going to be accused of raising spending if they pass this bill, the stripped down Reid bill, or no bill at all. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694/100 "2010-02-12T18:44:27Z")
I’ve been fascinated by this thread. Where can I learn more about this stuff? Books, websites? Taxes for Dummies? Stuff preferably not produced by loonies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-harry-reid/528694.md?page=6)