Friday 10 September 2010

Death and green taxes

The Greens seem to be remarkably beholden to introducing a Death Tax, saying that it is unfair that so much wealth should be passed to the undeserving without the government getting a big slice.

Just after the election, the Fin Review published a survey (behind their pay wall) that gave a good breakdown of the type of people that vote Green in Australia.

I read it in a cafe over breakfast, and this is what I remember:

  1. Greens are rich - very rich
  2. They have no kids, or one at most
  3. That one kid will go to an expensive private school
Given the lack of offspring, it's no wonder so many Greens favour a death tax - it won't affect them, as they have no one to give their money to. However, as they won't have kids to help support them in their old age, they'll be very reliant on government for services, so I guess those death taxes on other people are seen as a good way to ensure Greens have a cushy retirement.

Look at Bob Brown - together with his partner, they're worth quite a few million dollars. Bob isn't getting any younger - who will they will their money to? A cat home?

What the Greens forget is that if you want to give more money to the tax office, there is nothing stopping you from doing so. You can will your entire estate to the government if you want to. If you want to do that, go right ahead - I won't stop you.

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