Business Quote by Amity Shlaes
“Democrats who see virtue in the estate tax are doing the equivalent of aborting future enterprises. They deprive businesses of oxygen with their support for capital gains taxes and disregard for contracts.”
About This Quote
The author argues that estate taxes and capital‑gains taxes stifle entrepreneurial growth, likening them to aborting future businesses and depriving the economy of vital resources.
In simple terms: Taxes on wealth hinder new enterprises.
High taxes can suppress economic dynamism.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Startup financing
- Estate planning
- Legislative debate
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- Simplify tax code
- Provide targeted tax incentives
Questions to Reflect On
- Do taxes always deter investment?
- How can tax policy balance revenue and growth?
Taxes also fund public goods that support business ecosystems; the claim may oversimplify fiscal impacts.