"We need to raise about 20 percent of the GDP to fund the programs the American people want from the national government," Buffett said.

They want? What in the world does a "want" have to do with what the Federal Governments' responsibility is??? I WANT a new Cadillac. So what? Is someone supposed to pay for it because I want it?

A need or a want is not a claim to another's labor or possesions (paraphrased from "Atlas Shrugged")

"Alternatively, just from Trouble's share of the Helmsley's estate tax, 10,000 families making less than $20,000 annually could receive $1,000 each to make their lives a bit better," Buffet added.

The point being Mr. Buffet, that individuals not the government gets to decide how they wish to spend their money or bequeath their estate.  This is nothing less than self promotion you're advocating, not populism. It's easy to tell other people what to do with their money when it has no impact on you.  In fact, I would go so far as to challenge you to re-write your Will so when you die, to equally divide your wealth among those whom you deem worthy of your beneficence. 

Leona gifting her estate to her dog is irrelevant to the issue.  But it is sure convenient to your self promotion.  Anyone looks good compared to a public villan.

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. dscott's corollary: The line between malice and stupidity is called depraved indifference.

"Leona Helmsley's dog, Trouble, reportedly is inheriting $12 million," Buffett said. "If Mrs. Helmsley's estate is within the 45-percent bracket, Trouble could instead receive $22 million if the estate tax was removed."

And if Helmsley's estate was in a 75% tax bracket, the dog would get $6 million -- if it were in a 90% tax bracket, the dog would get $2 million. While I think it's ridiculous to leave ANY money to a dog, what would be "fair" for the dog -- and why should the government get to be the one who decides what is fair?

The death tax doesn't hurt people like you, Warren, who can drop a million here or there and not worry about it -- but it absolutely destroys small family businesses, who have a net worth high enough to get hit by outrageous taxes (on wealth that, in many cases, was previously taxed). Often small family businesses have to sell out to big corporations (like ones you own, Warren?) to pay the IRS bill, since few companies have half their value in liquid assets.

I am marrying a dog.

All i hear about is that Homosexuals NEED marriage so that they can leave each other in their wills and along comes this lady and casually leaves all her money to the dog and it's no problem.

I am fighting mad 

(sarcasm off)

Buffett wants taxes high because Buffett owns insurance companies that sell products designed to protect you from paying taxes. He also buys small businesses at fire-sale prices when estate tax liability forces a sale.

He's creating demand for his product, and Congress isn't sharp enough to see it.

Reality Check

Isn't Buffet the guy who made headlines  for donating his forture to the(tax Exempt) Gates Foundation?

to know how he got so rich. Either that, or he now feels "guilty" and is biting the hand that fed him.