Super rich nonsense

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By

I don't have a problem with super-wealthy people using their money to influence the political process. Have at it.

But they should be straight with us: If Bill Gates, Warren Buffett or "the fabulously wealthy" Teresa Heinz take a certain position on legislation, they ought to make it clear whether they will personally benefit in some way.

Consider the death tax, also known as the "estate tax."

While most small business owners oppose the death tax -- because it could force their heirs to sell the business when they die -- many of the super-rich have no problem with the tax. Espousing a made-in-PR-land doctrine known as "responsible wealth," the super-rich say they have an obligation to pay back society for their good fortune after they are gone. (Not while they're still here piling it up).

Among those espousing this view are William H. Gates Sr., co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest (in assets), billionaire investment guru (and professional George Bush basher) George Soros, and Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. one of the world's largest holding companies.

Of course, favoring the death tax is easy when you're worth tens, or hundreds, of millions of dollars -- or more. You can pay back society and still leave your family plenty of dough. But what about the woman or man whose business -- the building, equipment, inventory and "receivables" -- is worth far less? Time and time again their families must sell the business just to pay the tax. And too often, they have to sell not just their business, but their homes and other assets.

One can only guess Bill Gates Sr. opposes repeal of the death tax because he likes to give away other peoples' money. After all, that's what he does for a living: He allocates the billions his son donated to their charitable foundation. And God bless 'em!

Mr. Soros probably opposes repeal of the death tax because he hates George Bush so much -- and anything Mr. Bush favors Mr. Soros opposes. He is quoted as pledging his whole $7 billion fortune to the defeat of George Bush, if he can be guaranteed success. What maniacal obsession.

As the late-night TV salesmen say, "But wait. There's more."

The "more" in this case is the appearance of a possible hidden agenda for Warren Buffet. I don't believe the following is his primary motive, but the facts are apparent. ... Three months ago, as reported by investigative reporter John Berlau, Berkshire Hathaway and White Mountains Insurance, a Bermuda-based investment group run by John Byrne, who previously ran Geico Insurance (another Berkshire Hathaway holding), announced they had agreed to purchase Safeco insurance company's life-insurance and asset-management division for 1.35 billion.