DEAR BRUCE: My grandmother has money conservatively invested in commercial bank CDs. She is elderly and often frets the government will seize the money and house and she'll be on the streets. My sister and I have told her not to worry. Still, grandmother will tell us she is scared of the government taking everything. Under what circumstances could the government seize money and property? Does it happen often? We think it would ease her mind if we told her Bruce Williams said, "Stop worrying." -- J.P., via e-mail

DEAR J.P: I think what your grandmother is referring to is the possibility that she may have to go into some kind of a care facility, and, in the event that the money is not there, they could attach her property if she was a Medicaid recipient. It's very unlikely this is going to happen, but other than that, I don't know any other way that the government is out taking people's assets. Tell her that Bruce said, "Please stop worrying." Nothing is going to happen to her home and property.

DEAR BRUCE: I have tried to call the IRS but have spent a great deal of time on hold. My husband recently passed away. There were three life insurance policies with me as the beneficiary. Is this money taxable? All policies were payable upon the death of my husband. -- D.D., via e-mail

DEAR D.D.: Ordinarily, under most circumstances, the proceeds from life insurance is not taxable. However. the owner of the policy and by whom and how the premiums are paid can sometimes dictate any tax consequences. For the relatively modest amount of money involved, I would suggest that you sit down with an accountant of your choice (not the IRS) and have this individual examine the polices, how they were paid and if there were any tax advantages taken in regard to the payment of the policy. All of these things could enter into the picture, and a general answer is not in your best interest.

DEAR BRUCE: How much is enough? I have had it right up to my eyebrows. I am a parent paying the full tuition of a college junior in a very expensive private school. My son has constantly told me that he is afraid to express his political views in class because the professors have made it abundantly clear that conservative ideas are wrong and will not be countenanced. He is of the opinion that he has to keep his mouth shut in order to get decent grades. I feel that I am paying the tuition and that free speech is not just free liberal speech but free speech period. I want to confront the administration. My wife says don't make waves, let the kid graduate. What do you think? -- L.C., via e-mail

DEAR L.C.: You've got to be kidding. I would be down there talking with the administration of that college so quickly their eyeballs would snap. There is no question that there is a liberal bias in academia, it's always been so. This is not to say that there are not conservative professors. The good ones on either side encourage dialogue. Those that discourage it should be replaced. At the very least, I would ask the administration for the opportunity to confront these individuals. With the amount of money that you are spending for your son's education, this does give you the right to confront and question the administration.