k for the senate"(Clawson-3). Imagine contributing that much from your family, it does not buy a vote, but it does provide you with access and influence. In 1996 individuals contributed over $71.6 million dollars in soft money to political parties (Clawson-127). This represents a lot of power and influence. Why wouldn't Congress repeal the estate tax? If I were rich, I would argue that they repeal it as a thank you gesture for all the money I've contributed over the years. Also, with this much money coming into current, and potential Congressmen's pocket's, why would they not want to protect their best interests? This is a tax that is focused on a very small group of the population. The said purpose of eliminating the estate taxes was to help farmers and small-business people be able to maintain their family businesses. In the case of farmers family land possessions and not have to sell them just to pay federal taxes. Although this repeal will help them, the number of farmers and business owners it will help is not comparable to the number of wealthy people it will help. A plan offered by the Democrats seemed to present a more reasonable alternative. According to the NY Times "Their plan would cut the estate tax rates by 20 percent, a gesture to the political pressures, and raise the exclusion for couples owning family farms and businesses to $4 million to better help the supposed targets of this legislation"(NYT-6/11/00). Through this article we clearly see that there is political pressure on this issue. Although I do believe that intentions were good and that members of Congress do want to help "the little people" who are affected by these taxes, it seems to me that wealthy individuals caught wind of this legislation, saw what it could do for them and put pressure on Congress to push this legislation through. I don't even think it took that much pressure but the pressure was there. The fact that this legislation was passed by the Hous...
