TAX: Here's one to keep

The current Republican tax proposals call for the elimination of the Estate Tax. This federal tax (referred by its defenders as “The Death Tax”) taxes individuals on their estate at the time of their death. At the present, this tax, currently at 40 percent, excludes the first $5 million for individuals, $10 million for couples. So it only affects the richest 0.1 percent of the population.

This tax is important to limit the growth of a permanent class of super-rich. I do not resent the large fortunes of those creative and energetic individuals who have attained fortunes through their efforts. I do resent the idea that their grandchildren and great-grandchildren be multi-millionaires at the moment of their birth and therefore not required to do anything useful with their lives. Keep the estate tax!

RICHARD CRIPE

Coeur d’Alene