I watched with amazement the Kudlow discussion earlier this week relative to Warren Buffet's support of an Estate TRANSFER Tax. I use that term purposefully as that is what it is. It is NOT a death tax. That's the spin used by those wishing to convince the American public that they are at risk. The truth is that 98% of us are not.
The transfer tax, whether during lifetime or at death, is a fair progressive tax on the reallocation of wealth and to reduce the consolidation of wealth in the hands of the already wealthy. If that were to continue unchecked, the consolidation of that wealth will have disasterous results for our social / economic system as the disparity between the rich and poor will grow.
And as for charitable contributions, how disingenuous to accuse Warren Buffet of such a strategy just to avoid the tax. Allocating wealth to the philanthropic sector keeps that money in the system, provides a network of services and products to those in need WITHOUT having to engage the government sector to provide those services (which would likely require an increase in taxes) and enables an individual to support those causes and interests they value with their wealth. What better example of pure capitalist's entrepreneurism?
So, let's call it what it is - a tax on the transfer of wealth from one individual to another, an allocation of that wealth in order to provide products / services outside of government oversight and costs, a sound social policy to avoid the consolidation of great wealth in the hands of a few (a historic source of revolution I might add), and a tax that only impacts roughly 1% of those who have benefited in a society that encourages and supports their success.
Leave it alone. There are far more unjust tax policies that could be reviewed and which would generate adequate revenue and approach fairness in the system.

David