One American Who Wasn't Worried about the "Death Tax"

It's too late for this gentleman who died at the New Orleans convention center. But the Republicans plan to bring up the elimination of the estate tax for those wealthy enough to pay it, a move Democrats will oppose:

Senate Democrats are calling on Republicans to drop permanent repeal of the estate tax from the Senate agenda.
"I am surprised at the Republican leadership's insensitivity toward the events of the last week," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid in a statement on Friday. "With thousands presumed dead after hurricane Katrina and families uprooted all along the Gulf Coast, giving tax breaks to millionaires should be the last thing on the Senate's agenda."

They can't perform the most fundamental functions of government, but at least they can do while running a bigger deficit.

(Photo: Eric Gay/AP)