Hi, can we please stop using the phrase "death tax"? It's called estate tax. Legally. Calling it a death tax does not change any of the underlying mechanics or reasons to support/oppose it.
Death tax is a term introduced by Republicans wishing to change the public perception of estate taxes. Obviously an effective move. Apparently it is hard to get people to vote against an estate tax.
It is scary how effectively Republicans are able to manipulate language and steer political discussion. The Democrats suck pretty badly at this.
Calling it a death tax does not change any of the underlying mechanics
Yes.
or reasons to support/oppose it.
Obviously, no :-)
That's why you're calling for people to stop using this emotionally loaded and inaccurate phrase. Calling it something it's not absolutely changes the reasons to oppose it, which is why we also have phrases like "Death Panels" and "Baby Killers" to describe Canada's (obviously horrific) health care system.
Sure, but I did it because the OP did it. Also, there's a good chance that Orwell would have just as much of a problem with "estate tax" as with "death tax", "estate tax" being the choice of people with an agenda after all.
It's taxing estates, not deaths. Every other tax is named after what it taxes. Income tax, sales tax, gasoline tax.. get the picture?
And that person with an agenda was Teddy Roosevelt who implemented it almost 100 years ago, back in simpler times when the lying in politics was mostly about people's mothers' moralities and lineages.
It is scary how effectively Republicans are able to manipulate language and steer political discussion. The Democrats suck pretty badly at this.