WTF: Senate votes to "repeal or reduce the estate tax"?

[ProSense]

To repeal or reduce the estate tax, but only if done in a fiscally responsible way.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00066

NAYs ---19
Baldwin (D-WI)
Brown (D-OH)
Coons (D-DE)
Durbin (D-IL)
Franken (D-MN)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harkin (D-IA)
Johnson (D-SD)
King (I-ME)
Levin (D-MI)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Reed (D-RI)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Udall (D-NM)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

What the hell is going on?

[MrSlayer]

1. What do you think is going on?

We're getting fucked again. With bipartisan support. Because they own both parties.

[ProSense]

3. I hoping the text of the amendment states

"just kidding."

Seriously, this makes no sense. They're pushing a proposal with a millionaire's tax, only to turn around and repeal the estate tax?

WTF?

[Lint Head]

2. The rich and powerful own us all and apparently we can't do a damn thing about it.

[ProSense]

4. Maybe a good reason why Congress needs

to hear from the people.

[Lint Head]

9. They don't really listen. We need to grab them by the shirt collar and say real loudly. "Listen!"

[99Forever]

13. Bwahahahahahhahaha...

Good one!

[tritsofme]

5. These are consequence free votes

None of this will ever become law.

[ProSense]

6. I get that much, but

"None of this will ever become law. "

....why are they going on record supporting things repealing taxes on the rich?

Most Senate Dems Join GOP Push To Repeal Obamacare Tax
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022551863

Yes, Vote-A-Rama is annoying
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/03/22/17418474-yes-vote-a-rama-is-annoying

[ProSense]

7. Here's one that should stand

To end "Too Big To Fail" subsidies or funding advantage for Wall Street mega-banks (over $500 billion in total assets).

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00070

YEAs 99

[Swede Atlanta]

8. The estate tax is a red herring........

I am personally not opposed to exempting estates on individuals under 3 million and for a couple under 5 million from any estate tax and allow those assets to flow through to beneficiaries, charities, etc. Estates over that size represent individuals who have been richly rewarded for work and investment as well as those whose wealth began through inheritance that may or may not have been subject to the estate tax.

Those numbers may seem large to some people but if you have been around successful small family businesses or family farms of any size, the net value is often easily 2-3 million dollars. I believe it is preferable to keep those businesses and farms intact that risk having to sell or liquidate the business because the assets less the estate taxes make it non-viable or where a family farm must sell off either assets (tractors, columbines, etc.) or land to pay the taxes. That doesn't benefit anyone in the long run. It reduces the efficiency of those operations and ultimately makes them less productive for our economy.

I am in full agreement that substantial estates should be subject to a reasonable estate tax. Those individuals who inherit and go on to contribute nothing but reap the benefits of our economy, etc. (i.e. they never really work and just sit back and let their money make money for them) should pay a higher percentage in tax.

But the estate tax is not where I focus my interest. I focus my interest on the loopholes that allow individuals to hide their money offshore but are able to bring it back into this country for consumption with no tax or penalty and corporations that keep their revenues from offshore activities shielded from taxes.

I consider the estate tax a red herring.

[uselessobot]

15. So why not change the business tax code only so that it targets the small business and family farm?

[spanone]

10. pretty vague language

fuckers

[JDPriestly]

11. Rockefeller voted Nay. Good for him.

But Boxer and Feinstein? Where were they?

[MiniMe]

12. If Bernie Sanders voted for it, which he did, it can't be as bad as it seems

Though it sounds like one of those "sense of the Senate" bills, really doesn't do anything.

[mainer]

14. Sanders voted against it. So did Angus King of Maine.

How bad is it when it takes Independents to point the way to the right thing?

[MiniMe]

16. Thanks, I read the OP wrong

I thought that was the list who voted for the measure.I still think from what was said, that it doesn't actually do anything, yet.

[davidpdx]

17. Even if it was just an advisory vote

I'm going to write Wyden and give him an earful. Thankfully Merkley voted for against it.

Edit: OP thank you for posting this. Wyden did get quite an earful in an email from me.