Whoopi Goldberg Rails Against Death Tax

Opponents of the Death Tax may have found a very unlikely celebrity spokesperson, "View" moderator Whoopi Goldberg. On the December 4 edition, guest co-host Kate Walsh noted all of the programs Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul wishes to abolish. Goldberg then stepped in proclaiming "I’d like somebody to get rid of the death tax...If I have to give something to my kid I already paid the tax, why do I have to pay it again because I died?"

Video (0:55): Real (1.48 MB) and Windows (1.70 MB), plus MP3 audio (424 kB)

After a strong applause from the audience, Joy Behar retorted "only people with a lot of money say that." Whoopi strongly disagreed and added this comment against the death tax.

"It’s horrible. It doesn’t matter if you have or you don’t have money. Once you paid your taxes, it should be a done deal. You shouldn’t have to pay twice. No taxation without representation! Sorry."

The transcript of the exchange is below.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG: I’d like somebody to get rid of the death tax. That’s what I want. I don’t want to get taxed just because I died.

SHERRI SHEPHERD: Yeah.

GOLDBERG: You know, I just don’t think it’s right. If I give something to my kid I already paid the tax why do I have to pay it again because I died? [applause] It’s like being chastised. I hate it. Anyway...

JOY BEHAR: Only- you know what, can I just say something about that?

GOLDBERG: Yes.

BEHAR: Only people with a lot of money say that, but that’s okay.

GOLDBERG: No! I don’t think so. Anyone who wants to leave something to their kid, whatever you paid for it, they have to pay.

BEHAR: I know.

GOLDBERG: It’s horrible. It doesn’t matter if you have or you don’t have money. Once you paid your taxes, it should be a done deal. You shouldn’t have to pay twice. No taxation without representation! Sorry.

[applause]