(From an honest-to-goodness farmer): “I agree that few farms may be subject to the estate tax in the immediate future, since the asset threshold has been raised to $1.5 million and will steadily rise to around $3.5 million in 2010. The problem is that the threshold snaps back to around $1 million in 2011, unless the legislation is changed. With current land values of $1,000 to $2,000 and the value of farm equipment, you reach this threshold very quickly — and I sure plan on dying sometime after 2011, when the value of these assets is likely to have appreciated. Also, the estate tax is largely double taxation, and why should I have to buy an expensive life insurance policy to pay estate taxes? Unless the insurance is properly structured, the cost is a drain on my yearly income and only benefits the life insurance companies and attorneys needed to make sure the policy is structured appropriately.”

(From “a practicing accountant with over 30 years experience”): “I have yet to hear anyone tell me how anyone can justify a tax on the accumulation of wealth, as described by Bill Gates. We have a generation of boomers who stand to inherit zillions of dollars in estates, the vast majority of the value of which is due to inflation — inflated values of real estate, etc. I'm 52 years old. The generation ahead of me (the WWII crowd) worked hard, sacrificed to buy a home and perhaps a few pieces of property, never dreaming the property could be worth what it is today. They paid taxes on what they made, paid taxes on the property, and now the government wants another pound of flesh from them? There is absolutely no way anyone can justify this…It is extremely unfair for someone in my generation to be forced to sell the assets of our fathers and mothers to pay an arbitrary tax…”

(From an attorney): “Well, I never thought I would see the editor of a farm publication argue against repeal of the estate tax…In 25 years of representing farmers, actively farming myself, and owning farmland, I have seen the estate tax play an inordinate role in farm decisions — whether it was large sums paid for insurance to pay the estate tax, the time invested in planning how to confront the problem, or transfers and entity changes to fend off the estate tax, the tax is an ever-present danger and concern. Given the consolidation of farms into larger farms and the increase in land values, it's a problem that isn't getting smaller…If a person works hard and earns enough to be able to accumulate a nice estate, he has to pay taxes on every penny of that income. Where is the equity in then turning around and taxing him again when he dies, especially at a rate that can equal half his taxable estate? Is this the way to reward thrift and industry, telling the toiler that the fruits of his labor will go to the government?”

(From an agchem executive): “By what right does government tax income twice — once when earned and again upon death? Class envy is an easy reason to support taxing the rich, but who ever got a job from a poor man?…The ‘cost’ to the U.S. Treasury of any tax cut is always overstated because Washington only projects the direct tax losses and never takes into account the increased economic activity that results from leaving more money in the private economy, which generates increased tax revenues. Yes, we have been running big deficits, but primarily as a result of runaway government spending, not tax cuts. The most worrisome concentration of wealth and power in this country is the federal government. Starving the beast is the best way to control it.”

(Unidentified profession): “I was extremely disappointed in the views expressed, especially coming from a publication that is supposed to be for farmers and ranchers. Most…sounded like talking points from one of the liberal activist groups in Washington. I would love to introduce you to two families in this area that I work with who had to sell of part of their farms that had been in their families for over a century, due to estate taxes. My family has a rather sizeable farm…that we have spent our lives helping our parents build and maintain. The last thing I want to happen is for me and my three brothers to be forced to sell any of this land that we worked so hard for because of estate taxes. I can see no reason to tax the family farm into oblivion.”

(Unidentified profession): “My grandparents worked hard and saved instead of spent…They sent five children to college. They were subject to the estate tax. They should not be forced to buy insurance to pay the taxes or to gift their assets. They should have this as security for a job well done. It was a horrible situation in our family knowing that they wanted the security of ownership and knowing that a large percentage of their hard-earned assets were going to the government. It is not right for a family to have to go through this. They are being penalized for being productive and saving.”

(Unidentified profession): “Isn't it kind of ridiculous to keep a tax just to get 1.5 percent of estates? Talk about zeroing in and punishing minorities.”

(From an association executive): “I have long argued that, for the great majority of farmers I represent, total repeal of the estate tax is a non-issue. The limits in place today cover the great majority of the folks I work with, but yet every time this issue comes up, it is the family farmer they cite as needing this.”

(Unidentified profession): “I wish I had the quote handy, but a former Supreme Court justice years ago said it is not only legal, but the duty of citizens to pay as little taxes as possible under the law. I didn't know it was wrong or immoral to provide jobs for hundreds of thousands as Bill Gates does, and in the process keep what's left over…after paying suppliers and employers. I have observed in my lifetime that a poor man never gave me a job. Only ‘rich people’ did. How many poor people have provided libraries or funded hospitals and universities…and how many use these facilities who otherwise couldn't afford to?”