Hands off? Not any More

Ken Kerr Bio

The most talked-about story from the Obama's recent European visit was Michelle's moment with Queen Elizabeth where both had a brief affectionate embrace. Not much of an embrace, really, it was more like closing ranks to get a better photograph. But, because it was the queen, it took on the mantle of scandal. You're not supposed to touch the queen. No? Says who?

We, USAmericans, don't really understand the royals. This nation, the United States of America, was founded on getting away from that form of government. At best, it is a curious anachronism from the Middle Ages—AKA "Dark Ages." This was a time when people were generally unkind to one another. The current from of British Monarchy comes from a time described by Thomas Hobbes in 1651.

"In such condition there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no culture of the earth; no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious building; no instruments of moving and removing such things as require much force; no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

This was the situation in Great Britain just before Charles II the House of Stuart to the monarchy after Lord Protector Cromwell was removed by the army. Monarchs typically came to power because they were the most cunning, ruthless, ambitious, and aggressive people of their day. Once in power, they sought to establish legitimacy through ceremony and superstition—like wearing crowns reminiscent of saintly halos and creating customs like—well, don't touch the queen.

King James I, from whom we get the King James Bible, even claimed he was king because God wanted him to be king (sound familiar?) James claimed the Divine Right of Kings asserting that a monarch is not subject to earthly authority, gets the right to rule directly from God. The king is not subject to the will of his people, the aristocracy, or entity—including the church. Divine Right further implies that any attempt to depose the king or to restrict his powers is against to the will of God constitutes heresy.

In the United States of America, we have no monarchy, but we do have Royalty of sorts. An aristocracy based on wealth and privilege. The wealthiest Americans, too, seem to have claimed divine right. At the very least, they insist they not be touched—even when they die.

Take a look at Forbes Magazines list of the 400 wealthiest Americans—especially at 4, 5, 6, and 7: Jim Walton, S Robson Walton, Alice Walton, and Christy Walton & Family. What did they do to earn this money? Nothing, they were born into it. And, although the wealthiest American saw their fortunes double under George W. Bush tax policies, they claim their heirs should not have to pay any taxes on inherited wealth. Their congressional minions have even cynically taken to calling this the "Death Tax." We are taxing the dead—we are taxing the heirs who did nothing to earn it. There is no Divine Right to Wealth.

The loyal subjects of the America's Wealthy Royals—the republican members of congress under the Bush Administration—actually repealed the inheritance tax. This was even after the first $3,500,000 was already exempt. It was not enough that the wealthy could leave over three-million-untaxed-dollars to each and every American prince and princess; they wanted people like the Waltons to get it all—every single billion, tax free. And that seemed to make sense to many American voters.

Thankfully—rationally—the estate tax returns in 2011 with a $1 million exemption and a maximum tax rate of 55%. Actually, a 55% tax on something someone did nothing to earn is a pretty good deal. But Congress is not done yet. Still doing the wealthy's bidding; bills are popping up with the aim of permanently repealing the estate tax.

Maybe it was a good sign that Michelle touched the Queen, or the Queen touched Michelle. It doesn't matter who touched whom. It matters that the Queen sees that times have changed.

The time has come to move beyond medieval notions of wealth and privilege. It's time to stop treating the wealthy as if they deserve to be considered differently. It is time to stop placing the greatest burden of taxes on Middle Americans whose labor, ingenuity, and talent drive the system that engorges the wealthy's fortunes.

If it's now appropriate to touch the queen, maybe it's appropriate to touch the American royalty as well.

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