Whoopi Goldberg Rails Against the Death Tax

[SolvencyByTaxation]

I love Whoppi but that was the stupidest thing I ever heard her say.

[jagfug]

The Flat Tax is the answer. A percentage for everybody. Below a certain amount, say 50,000 a year, exempt.

[pennjersey83]

No taxation without representation? Umm, you are being represented Whoopi.

[firespinguy]

@pennjersey83 And whoopi already pay her taxes. If whoopi dies, she can't be represented but her money would be taxed again by the death tax.

[pennjersey83]

@firespinguy

Oh I see what you mean

[TheDiana9999999]

Love Whoopi!!!

[DragonSparky123666]

There's too much focus on the "morality" of something like the inheritance tax. I can argue that the property tax is unfair to the retired. i can argue that a sales tax on food is unfair to the working poor. I can argue that the income tax penalizes those who work hard and are productive in society. So where does this leave us? We have to tax someone in some manner if we are to have an operational government.

I personally think the inheritance tax is one of the better taxes.

[DRDFOX]

The soundbyte "no taxation without representation" which stirred up the crowd is actually really dumb as it has nothing to do with the issue

[types10000]

@DRDFOX

"The soundbyte 'no taxation without representation' which stirred up the crowd is actually really dumb as it has nothing to do with the issue"

- your watching the view, this is about the most intelligent exchange i've ever seen on this show.

[NeMeImpuneLacessit]

@DRDFOX, what representation can a DEAD PERSON expect? In any case, it's like paying for something twice. Say you bought a car and then you want to let your son drive it and the company that sold it to you turn up at your door and say, "If your son wants to drive the car, you have to pay again" Not a very good analogy but close enough. Fuck the fat politician bastards sucking us dry and living high on the hog.

[DRDFOX]

@NeMeImpuneLacessit The anaolgy doesn't work because it assumes that tax is always paid on the accumulation of wealth. It simply isn't in most tax systems. If all tax is too high then argue to to reduce tax overall on every source - but then some tax will always have to be raised. It's a case of judging where it's best to take it. In this simple equation, I would rather see people pay less on their hard earned income than see them pay more to allow those not earning their wealth to pay less.

[NeMeImpuneLacessit]

@DRDFOX, I watched a video about the FED and the guy who was speaking stated that the US congress doesn't have to raise any tax at all, it could run its budget just from the interest it gets from printing and lending money! Don't know if that's true but I also heard that every cent the US citizens pay in their unlawful income tax goes to pay the debt owed to the banksters who run the FED and charge interest on every dollar printed.

[DRDFOX]

@NeMeImpuneLacessit I sounds like the the guy obviously has little understanding of economics. His presumption is up there with conspiracy theories about reptiles controlling the human race and smoking not causing cancer.

[NeMeImpuneLacessit]

@DRDFOX, Don't know about reptiles or cancer. It was some guy called G. Edward Griffin. He's a writer and film maker apparently. He seems to think that the FED is a private banking cartel in league with congress to rip the financial shit out of the USA.

[DRDFOX]

Over simplified

1. Double taxation already exists (indirect taxes on goods purchased from income taxed on money).

2. Its not wholly double taxation since there are a lot of tax breaks in the accumulation of wealth.

3. Is it really better that hardworking tax payers pay more in income taxes or indirect taxes in favour removing inheritance/estate taxes?

4. The large exemptions mean beneficiaries have no right to whinge, they are getting a lot for nothing.

[captwasabi]

While I agree that the estate tax is wrong Whoopi is also wrong. It's not the estate that gets taxed, it's the recipient that gets taxes. Granted, the taxable income is only for those amounts in excess of $3.5MM (for 2009, US, singles) but it's still wrong. Tax rates run from 18-25% depending on how much is received.

[JohnRhysMusician]

Now she is going to start voting Republican????

[yakyakyak69]

Third Communist Plank:

Abolition of all rights of inheritance. (Partially accomplished by enactment of various state and federal "estate tax" laws taxing the "privilege" of transfering property after death and gift before death.)

[LordHumongousisback]

I actually agree with her I can`t believe it.

[gpcamren]

true whoopi was mistaken because only those leaving an inheritance of considerable amount get taxed again. but the point is all the same. the law is bs.

i don't agree with everything she says but whoopi usually makes well thought out arguments.

the red head with the giant head is a moron. of course only the "rich" complain about it because they're the only ones taxed like this. she never tried to answer whoopi's point. she only wanted to throw out the "rich" word and stir up that class envy

[MPSKWPG]

The top 10% of Americans pay the most in taxes, often paying 50% of their income! I live in Canada where our captial gains taxes are significantly higher than the UAS, our income tax is 60% for top bracket though.

After paying all of these taxes while you are alive **50%** of your income, you are then penalized again when you DIE?! Regardless of the amount of money a person has, taxing them twice on income they earned in their life is obscene. When they already pay 50% of their income.

[MPSKWPG]

@MPSKWPG Luckily there are still many legal ways of avoiding estate taxes by purchasing assets under your children's names, transferring ownership, giving gifts and other legally gray activities to ensure that your hereditary wealth remains in your bloodline for future generations to prosper.

The tax is garbage.

[1333fuller]

Whoopi is wrong; the estate tax is for people who have millions of dollars. It is not for someone who is leaving their kid 10,000 bucks.

[charleshoskinson]

@1333fuller Yet the point is still valid. You paid it once. Why do you have to pay it again?

[DJWeatherman666]

Whoopi is either dumb as shit or very cleverly manipulative. I think the second. Clearly she is filthy rich and will have to pay a tax that <2% of americans will pay. She calls it a "death tax" to incite outrage for her own selfishness. Do u have millions of dollars? If the answer no, you won't get taxed when u die. PERIOD.

[rightwingrocks]

OMG whoopi makes a  good point here and she doesnt do it often

[braposo23]

wow this is the only time ive ever agreed with whoopi goldberg

[ericclaptonismygod31]

Goldburg is actually right on this time. wow.

[jsh78mang]

WOW that is the first time I agreed with whoopie in years. LOL

[mikehoable]

AMEN WHOOPI! Joy Beyhard is a rich dumbass! most of us people look to leave something to our family, even if it's not enough for ms. bayhard...however you spell it.

[jsh78mang]

I spell it like this B-I-T-C-H

[xdianarossx]

I totally agree with what Whoopi Goldberg said.

[kaziqbal]

The death tax is one of the most blatant and shameless form of confiscation that there could be.

[sandyabernathy]

You don't have to pay tax on money you inherit unless it is over 1.5 million dollars. My Dad passed on in 2005 and my brothers, sister and I found this out. This is fact.

[razorflown2]

OH no no. This is not true. You get taxed if you have more than that much in 'assets' there is a difference.

[sgsfdgfsdfsdfsddf]

What? Taxation without representation? does she know people do actually vote in America?

[mikehoable]

the dead don't vote no mo. did you know that? you pay taxes on your income and then on your purchases or you get taxed on your income and then you give the money to a family member and they legally get taxed on it. bend over buddy.

[sgsfdgfsdfsdfsddf]

and do you know what the estate tax is? its not taxing the dead... but if you would like to think that then do...

[mikehoable]

honestly, no. i was told it is when you give it to someone after you die it is like them winning the lottery and they get taxed 50% even if it's in the millions of dollars and you give it away it should be left alone. i think anything put into a 401k should be tax exempt, even after withdraw because you won't need soc. sec. if you do it right. if i'm wrong let me know.

[sgsfdgfsdfsdfsddf]

by give it away you mean charity? they dont do it then

but its a gift tax

[jsh78mang]

Estate Tax Definition a tax imposed on the transfer of the "taxable estate" of a deceased person. Ok you were saying. so tell us simple minded people what it really means and don't use the Paris hilton reference Yes I would love for her to get all her families money because I know the dumb bitch would blow it before she died.

[wiz9496]

the dead do vote and it's always for democrats.

[mikehoable]

yeah, you are right.

[quaffer22]

This only goes to prove, that when Whoopi isn't representing a biased opinion [view], she actually thinks for herself - but, only when it concerns HER interests.

"No Taxation Without Representation"?

She's one to speak. She, and The View, are in part responsible for the election of yet another guy that cares less about the inerterests of Americans. How many ARE being properly represented?

Too few, to none!

I hope Whoopi's, and fellow View'ers financial demise, is a slow, painful one.

[squareknot20]

L.O.L.

[l337cyclist]

"Estate Tax" and Toxic Assets are now called "Legacy Assets," the US government does a bang up job of hiding its intentions behind pretty names. I'm really craving some Freedom Fries right now.

[l337cyclist]

Everyone pays the death tax. Not just the ultra-wealthy. And if you determine there is such a thing as a person "making too much money," which is simply not up for anyone in a free nation to determine, and Tax that person to "bring him down to par," then you eliminate the incentive for private individuals to seek personal advancement. If they can only get "so much" then they will only work "so hard." That's a dangerous train of thought to be following.

[l337cyclist]

You're making assumptions. You have no idea how much money my parents are leaving me. My mother is lifetime Comptroller and has very good connections in the finance industry. It's a big deal to everyone, it has nothing to do with what I have earned. It has everything to do with a person's right to work hard and pass down as much of what they accumulate to their children, as they see fit. Not how the government sees fit. Your argument is void because it assumes the government deserves that money.

[DJWeatherman666]

@l337cyclist WRONG. The estate tax affects an ultra-minority of ultra-wealthy. Think millions in estate. It doesn't affect passing down a business to direct descendants or spouses.

You can argue about whether it's right to tax inheritance, but don't call it a death tax and don't propagate ignorance.

[genxtargetmarket]

Why doesn't the "Reply" function work correctly? I just keeps adding my replies to specific posts at the end.

[genxtargetmarket]

Whoopi is unaware of how this works. It only effects the very wealthiest Americans. It is to prevent the build-up of excessive dynasties in America. It should be called the "Paris Hilton Tax" & its real name is the "Estate Tax". One isn't taxed for dying, it is a tax upon the transfer of huge sums of wealth as it is 'income' to the recipients who never earned it in the first place.

About 2% of Americans pay it. It is currently 3.5 million, or 7 million for a couple. Who here bequeaths that much?

[l337cyclist]

My parents recently uncovered with the help of a financial advisor that if they died today, the tax that I, their child, would have to pay on their deaths for inheritance would require me to sell everything I inherit to pay it and I would still be left in debt to the government because at the age of 23 I don't have the assets necessary to cover taxes on what they accumulated in their long, productive lives.

Yea that seems fair. Thanks for looking out for me elected representatives! =D

[genxtargetmarket]

Please read my subsequent post. I don't think that your parents are leaving you 7 million. I also think that they need to seek a different tax counselor.

[stotty295]

Listen to Joy Bahar, what an idiot. Not addressing the actual discussion ,just further demonization of "rich people." Why is she even on TV?

[joreis88]

Joy Behar - the epitome of stupidity.

[k3304]

then why did Whoopie vote for Obama ??

[genxtargetmarket]

She's a multi-issue voter? Estate tax only hits 2% of Americans and it isn't a big deal EXCEPT to the ultra-wealthy.

[carewolf101]

No one should have to pay taxes twice.

The death tax is completely wrong as are all the new taxes Obama is instituting.

It is not just who he calls rich-all americans will be paying. Right now I live in a state that has among other taxes a 10% sales tax. Really males you want to show locally--not!!!

[YusufAT]

.... actually makes the person doing the name calling, the name that they are calling out. We also need to remember that those poeple are on tv live every weekday morning on a time frame. They are going to mess up and say the wrong thing sometimes. She was speaking fast before the comercial and she left out 1 fact but that fact that was left out did come up again by her and those woman are actually pretty good at correcting themselves. Her point was NO ONE should be taxed at death rich or poor.

[YusufAT]

I dont think she's an idiot she made a great point at the end 'No taxation without representation' That was her point and even for people with millions. You've taxed me my entire life and I paid my taxes faithfully. Shit my country should give me that honor in my time of death and not tax me for something that they knew was coming someday and neither of us have any control over. Plus that point that you all are agruing about was adressed later in the show so to call sum 1 any idot from a clip...

[fjfjvmvm]

Whoopi is an idiot. The estate tax only applies to people leaving millions to their heirs.

[zark78]

She makes a valid point.

[fjfjvmvm]

How could you say she makes a valid point? She is totally wrong, the estate tax only applies to people leaving millions to their heirs. Speaking as one of the few who will face this tax I'm all for it. Tax very rich dead people before taxing people struggling to get by.

Further she idiotically quotes no taxation without representation. What pathetic shit.

[zark78]

Yeah but you've already paid taxes on your money. It's double taxation.

I believe in everyone contributing their fair share. But you shouldn't have to pay twice.

[genxtargetmarket]

Remember, "YOU" aren't paying twice. The people getting the additional wealth are paying taxes upon it as income. It's pretty simple.

[zisel2]

@zark78 Shut the fuck up, stop making your dumb opinions public

[Fuctmentality]

@zark78 You're retarded. There is no way you can call the estate tax double taxation.

[NeMeImpuneLacessit]

@zark78, I've been railing against this taxation for the past while now but especially since I heard of two old ladies in Japan who were heiresses. Their parents built up a portfolio of properties and lived off the rent they raised. When the parents died twenty years ago, I'm pretty certain that they died happy knowing that their daughters would have an income for life. The death duty was so high that they ended up in debt and died of MALNUTRITION! They had about $2 in the whole house.

[DRDFOX]

@NeMeImpuneLacessit An exterem and iniquitous example that I agree is totall wrong, but it  isn't representative.

[TimeWarp66]

@zark78

Who gets to decide what the "fair share" is??? A few politicians???

[00maharum00ma]

@zark78

You don't have to pay twice. You're dead.

[SolvencyByTaxation]

@zark78 your kid's the one getting the money, not you. and they have never paid taxes on it.

[reg4321]

I totally agree with you Whoopi..

[TumblingDiaries]

Normally I dislike Whoopi, but she just amazing in this video!!!!

OH YEAH!!!

[TumblingDiaries]

what is that bitch smoking!?!? THAT'S BULLSHIT!!!!! My family isn't rich, and I sure as hell am not rich either... and i fucking hate the death tax!!! it sucks that your relative just died and now you have to pay a fucking tax just because they died??? THAT'S FUCKED UP!!!!

fuck you government!!!!! (typically i love America but when it comes to the death tax, well that's a different story...)

Hey lady, give me what ever your smoking so I can sell it and be rich (just like you)

[AngeloBassett]

Aaaah! Whoopi! Love that woman!

[DuttyGyal718]

They get ya coming & they will get ya going.

[Whoo69]

Republicans railing against the estate tax promote the biggest lies about it. first off, it doesn't tax until at least $1 million or a few million in inheritance. It certainly doesn't hurt family farmers or farms in general with estates of, say, 250 grand. Besides, you're dead, so why the fuck do you care if someone taxes you?? It doesn't prevent you from giving inheritance. It's just a small tax. Surely if we can pay income tax, we can handle a "death tax."

[mcmlxvi]

You are so wrong. Once you "receive" the assests it all becomes an "income" and is taxable just like any other "gift" income, so it goes from 10,000 dollars up, not few million. The point is that the same money is taxed 3 times, when earned, when left and when inheritted. And that's only FEDTAXES.

[tua42140]

That is inaccurate I am going through the process of receiving inheritance money from my grand father that recently passed away. I am receiving less than 30,000 and the government took well over 20% of the money on top of lawyer fees. Death tax applies to all people it is not contingent on the amount of money given. Well at least not in Pennsylvania.

[thewritepassion]

Most of the US tax dollar goes to military spending not social programs. Don't

scapegoat working poor. Get a clue about how your tax dollar is spent.

Notice how the solution to the subprime mess in the US is to give the working poor bigger tax refunds so they spend it. The "poor" make the "rich" because they give the money back by spending. Money moves in a cycle. "Death" tax keeps it flowing.

[nader11111]

Letting those who earned their money keep it would also allow it to keep moving as the "rich" invest it in bond/stock markets. The tax refunds are supposed to help the subprime mess by allowing those in debt to pay off their mortgages.

Even if one group of people can spend $ quicker than another group, is that justification for the government to take someone's money? Is that really freedom?

[thewritepassion]

The "rich" invest in bond/stock markets that are impacted by the spending habits of middle and lower income makers not just the "rich". Also, a tax refund is not going to pay off a mortgage. The group that "spends quicker" seems to be the working poor trying to afford basic necessities like healthcare, housing, food and gas. (Can my city possibly build anymore over priced condos?!) The "rich" are ones running this government and making it harder for people to survive. Is that really freedom?

[nader11111]

Who builds the condos? Spending on new structures provides labor so people can earn money and then spend it in return. Its their free choice as to whether or not to spend it on bling bling and twenty-fo's or health care. The money belongs to those who earned it, thats freedom. Government seizure of earned assets for redistribution is not freedom. Are the condos overpriced? If they are filling up, then I say the price is right. A condo is overpriced only if it is vacant.

[InternationlAmerican]

LOL! Wow, now wonder the NWO and the ultra rich ELITE laugh at u all lil folks! U have no clue about the true invisible financial system that runs this country! These people don't ever pay taxes, PERIOD! It's the middle class which gets screwed, the ELITE simply have international trusts, foundations and offshore corporations where all the money sits hidden away and multiplies continuously, making even them richer and richer, while all u suckers get screwed, LOL! RON PAUL 2008!

[nader11111]

Its an issue of fairness versus freedom. I think the more the governemnt takes from the fruits of ur labor, the less free we are. Yeah, it might be unfair that one person gets a 200K head start, but as soon as the government restricts that, it is as though a freedom has been taken away. Should freedom be replaced on fairness.

It seems to me that America was founded on freedom and the communist countries were founded on fairness.

[HomeMoviez]

You should be free to spend your money as you wish without the government sticking out its hand to take half of it. Especially after you already paid your taxes on it.

[HomeMoviez]

The rich want the death tax abolished because they want to keep the money they earned. Is that unreasonable?

The poor want the death tax in place because they want it to fund social programs so that they can benefit from other people's hard earned money. Is that more reasonable?

Essentially, both sides have motives to get the money. One side earned it, the other side feels entitled. You decide.

[aitraining]

If you hear her over many interviews, she's not as "left" as many may think she is on every issue. She's ceretainly Einstein after Rosie and light years ahead of that horrible Joy Behar

[toddlara]

No, Whoopi's wrong (and rich). Your kids didn't earn it, you did. Why should anyone's kids get a financial advantage over their peers just 'cause mommy and daddy are affluent? 80% of the world population busts their butts to survive and live on a dollar a day, meanwhile we keep recycling the wealth among the privileged few who want to put silver spoons in their kids mouths so they can grow up to be arrogant, greedy, materialistic opportunists without paying their dues.

[boringFFVIIreference]

You're right. I earned it and was taxed on it, and now I'm going to spend it as I see fit. If I want my life's work to benefit my family after my passing that's my business.

80% of the world's statistics are made up on the spot.

[toddlara]

It's your business if you spend it on a diamond-studded throne for your next of kin for all anyone cares, but don't expect the ones on the receiving end of a big fat gift to get off "100% TAX FREE" for their unearned capital. If I have a vote, your kids will continue to pay the piper for their birth rights so that a portion of those unearned proceeds can go toward social programs for all the kids out there who don't happen to have a rich daddy.

[thunderstruck665]

Becuase God forbid inner city kids should be taught not to depend on the government for handouts the way they have been in this country for the last thirty plus years. Let these people get off their lazy behinds, get an education, stop saying "gimmie" for a living and get a job so they can stop stealing our money.

[ska700]

God, thunderstruck you're ignorant. The issue is the death tax, which affects about 5% of people and likely not you. If you think it's such a crime to take an insignificant amount from a family worth hundreds of thousands or even millions to fix innercity problems (which were created and continue to be maintained by our government's policies along with, yes, bad attitudes), then maybe civilized society isn't for you. The U.S. is the least taxed country of any advanced democracy so stop bitching.

[HomeMoviez]

its not an insiginificant amount. Its substantial which is why people are upset. After high income earners have to pay around 50% of their income, the govt comes in a second time to take more (~45%) when one dies. Its almost like the government takes 75% of what you earn. Sound frustrating?

[ska700]

The only thing that's frustrating is how wrong you are. George Bush's tax cuts were targeted at those people that you think pay 75% of their income. Those tax cuts also drastically reduced the inheritance tax. In percentage of income, the extremely wealthy are the least taxed.

[HomeMoviez]

The tax cuts were all across the board; they were a couple percentage points in each bracket. The low 15% bracket had no cut, but a new 10% bracket was created for the lowest wage earners.

In percentage of income, the extremely wealthy have the highest percentage - roughly 33% federal I believe. Unless income is made through capital gains in which case it will be 20%. Low income earners pay 10% capital gains.

[DOD250]

Finally! Whoopi says something with common sense. Then, of course, Joy Behar shows her ignorance with a dumbass comment like, "Only people with a lot of money would say that." Stupid bitch. Good for Whoopi for basically saying, "No, Joy. You're wrong."

[SeaofinK]

Actually, Joy is correct. The tax only applies to to estates over 2-4 million USD.

Being that most people do not have a 2-4 million dollar estate, and the wealthy do, I'm pretty sure Joy was right on the money. No pun intended ;)

[pho3nixtar]

I don't agree with Whoopi on a whole lot of stuff, but she and I are in perfect agreement on this one. It's beyond insane that this is even on the books. It shouldn't be a surprise considering how crooked and greedy the fuckers in Washington are, but stupidity never really loses its shock value.

[HomeMoviez]

They need all that money to fund more social programs, government jobs, and waste.

[pho3nixtar]

You're being redundant. Social programs and government jobs = waste. lol

[HomeMoviez]

department of redundancy department. All funded by your hard earned tax dollars. Now thats fair isn't it? Much more fair than say, being allowed to keep the money that you earned. I mean you worked for it and earned it with your blood sweat and tears, but... thats somehow not relevant to a socialist.

[queenofrumania]

TELL IT, WHOOPI! Why should someone be taxed TWICE! on the same money? There are many things we could spend that money on rather than sending it to that profligate rathole in Washington. Bloody bridge to nowhere, earmarks for donors, agri subsidies, you name it, disgusting bunch of greedy (excuse me) SOBs.

Dont feed the beast.

[ashley3555]

Absolutely right, well said and well-timed.

[voyowee]

Well said, Whoopi!