I'm not sure if this is as big a debate in other parts of the country as it is here in Washington, but I'll give my two cents anyways.

I fully support Washington State's estate tax. Why? The big reason is that it supports higher education. Without the estate tax, I doubt I'd be going to college. Over 4000 students at the University of Washington attend with the help of State Need Grants funded by the estate tax, and I'm one of them. Am I proud of that? Not necessarily, but I am glad that I'm able to attend college without putting great financial stress on my family.

I'm not sure if this is how it goes in other states, so I doubt anyone not living in Washington will care much, unless they're Republican and thus against the estate tax in principle.

It's also interesting to note that only 0.5% of the population in Washington State is affected by the estate tax. It's also interesting to note that one of the most prominent of the families taxed, the Gates family (yes, that's Bill Gates), actually supports the estate tax. Funny how the rich actually don't complain about being taxed more...

Just a note: I don't generally like taxing the rich more than other classes, but if it's for a good cause like education, I'm all for it.