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Dear Atlanta Journal Constitution Editors:
This letter is in reference to the recent House of Representatives vote on the Estate or so-called "death" tax. The following story is fiction, but the circumstances portrayed are real.
Once upon a time, twelve families lived in a Fulton County subdivision named Progressive Homestead. Each family owned their own home. Most Progressive Homestead residents knew one another, attended the same churches, and sent their kids to the same public schools. Some were business owners and others were employees. A few even had vacation homes or rental property. Most were trying to improve their financial position hoping for an early retirement.
At the last homeowner association meeting, Joe Goodman made the following proposal:
"All property, assets, and estate transferred to a non-spouse beneficiary upon the death of any Progressive Homestead homeowner; shall be subject to a 40% estate liquidation fee to be collected by the homeowner association. The association reserves the right to use such fees as it deems appropriate."
As you can imagine, all the attending homeowners loudly told Joe Goodman to "forget about it!"
Congresswoman McKinney and Congressman Lewis told their respective constituents, "forget about it." Their recent vote to sustain the death tax is a direct assault on hard working businesses and property owners in districts 4 and 5. They think Goodman's plan is fair.
Wes Alexander
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